Mark in Texas History: Chilton Avenue home holds connection to stages of Tyler’s development

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - The Chilton-Lipstate-Taylor House in Tyler stands as a piece of history, once owned by a true pioneer in Texas politics.

Horace Chilton was born near Tyler, and by age 18 he was publishing the tri-weekly Tyler Sun newspaper. Chilton was the first ever native-born Texan to serve as U.S. senator when he was appointed by the governor in 1891.

Chilton bought a piece of land in Tyler in 1887 and built a house that was modeled after his wife Mary’s childhood home in Virginia. The Chiltons sold the property in 1903 to Jacob and Rogenia Lipstate. Jacob Lipstate was a Tyler merchant and real estate developer who helped organize the Chamber of Commerce in 1900.

Gus and Helen Taylor bought the home in 1910. This was another prominent family. Gus Taylor was a bank president for nearly 40 years. His heirs lived in this house until 1955, when they sold it to the Caldwell school administration, which operated a preschool in the house until 1998.

The property became a historic landmark in 2014. If you would like to see the Chilton-Lipstate-Taylor House, it’s located at the intersection of South Chilton Avenue and West Rusk Street.