Martin Hall at Texas College
Also known as: Texas College Administration Building
Why it's listed
Martin Hall, built in 1924, is the centerpiece of the Texas College campus on North Grand Avenue in Tyler. The three-story red brick building has a T-shaped plan, a symmetrical facade, a recessed central entry with a cast stone lintel, decorative brick belt courses, and a flat roof behind a parapet. It was built under the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church and Bishop Joseph C. Martin, with financing from the church, the bishop, alumni and Tyler's African American community. The architect is unknown, and the plans were likely a standard church design. Inside, the building keeps its 1,000-seat auditorium with original wooden theater seats and a 1943 mural of college history. Classrooms were converted to offices in the early 1960s, and the windows were replaced in the 1980s. The building was listed for its link to the college's educational work and to Tyler's development. It is the only known intact pre-1930 education building in the city.
Significance in brief: The building is significant for its association with the educational programs and administrative activities of Texas College, founded in 1894, and with community development in Tyler. It is described as the only known intact pre-1930 education building surviving in Tyler. It was nominated under Criterion A only because the original windows and exterior doors were replaced.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05001404, listed December 6, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2404 N. Grand Ave., Tyler |
|---|---|
| County | Smith County |
| Listed | December 6, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001404 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Unknown; Builders: Victoria Lumber Co.; Central Lumber Co.; Reick, George R. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival influenced |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Education, Black |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Preserved in good condition and still used for education/administration; interiors were converted to offices in the early 1960s and the building retains its 1,000-seat auditorium. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.37613, -95.31182 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05001404.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002755
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.