Frank Bell House
Tyler, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Frank and Sarah (Swann) Bell, descendants of 1850s East Texas pioneers, built this classical revival house in Tyler in 1900. Bell owned and operated a store and a farm. The couple had eight children. One son, Frank M. Bell, served 1942-66 as postmaster of Tyler. Banker-civic leader Henry Marsh Bell, another son, inherited the house. It remained in his family until 1960. Threatened with destruction, it was moved here in 1974 and restored. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978 Incise on base: Restored by the R. Randall Cape Family
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Frank and Sarah (Swann) Bell, descended from 1850s East Texas pioneers, built this classical revival house in Tyler in 1900, raising eight children while Frank ran a store and a farm. One son, Frank M. Bell, served as Tyler's postmaster from 1942 to 1966, and banker-civic leader Henry Marsh Bell inherited the home. Threatened with demolition, it was moved and restored in 1974.
Why it matters
The Bell house preserves the story of a leading merchant family and the East Texas pioneer stock from which a generation of civic leaders emerged.
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Related people
- · Frank Bell
- · Sarah (Swann) Bell
- · Frank M. Bell
- · Henry Marsh Bell
Themes & tags
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