Three New Half Mile of History Stones

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosted a ceremony Thursday to unveil three new Half Mile of History Stones in downtown Tyler. The stones are part of the Half-Mile of History heritage trail and honor W.E. Stewart, D.K. Caldwell and Walter Connally.

W.E. Stewart organized a total of 10 banks in Texas and Louisiana, including the First National Bank of Lindale in 1907. Stewart also served as the first president of Medical Center Hospital, now ETMC. The first Stewart blood bank building, equipment, and furnishings were donations of Stewart and his wife. The blood bank is now a facility of Carter BloodCare.

While working for Smith County, D.K Caldwell was influential in the formation of the State Highway Commission and the Texas Highway Department. He was a driving force in formation of the Smith County / Tyler Youth Foundation, which established Camp Tyler, and established the Caldwell Playschools, which existed for 41 years. Caldwell and his wife, Lottie, also started Caldwell Zoo. Additionally, he was responsible for building the first residential home for the elderly in Tyler.

Walter Connally�s business, Walter Connally and Company, grew into the largest machinery firm in East Texas, and one of the best-known firms of its kind in the South. Connally also operated a facility which became one of the largest private experiment farms in the Southwest. Connally Peninsula at Lake Tyler was once part of a large tract of land that he purchased in 1917. Portions of that acreage are now included in both Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.

The City of Tyler�s historic preservation program, the Half Mile of History, resulted from a recommendation that came out of the Tyler 21 planning process. City officials say the goal of the Half Mile of History is to pay tribute to people, places and events that have contributed to the rich history of Tyler and Smith County. The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler. Stone plaques are placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/ to read more about the Half Mile of History program and the most recent honorees.