Williams-Anderson House
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Why it's listed
Built about 1900 on West Claude Street in west central Tyler, this one-story wood house was constructed by Ezekiel (Zeke) Z. Williams, a lumber yard worker and probable skilled carpenter, for himself, his wife Janie and their family. Its L-plan form, asymmetrical facade, spindlework porch, decorative shingles and cutaway bay gable ends show restrained Queen Anne influence. The house is larger and better crafted than most homes built by or for African Americans in Tyler at the time, and it is described as the only identified intact Queen Anne influenced L-plan house associated with the city's African American population. It sits in a neighborhood once home to teachers, ministers and physicians, now altered by demolition and infill. The Williamses lived there until 1923, after which it passed to the Johnson and Anderson families. Only small rear additions have changed the exterior, and original windows, doors, moldings and flooring survive inside. It was listed for its architecture and its ties to Tyler's African American community.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be a rare intact example of an L-plan dwelling with Queen Anne influences, and the only identified one associated with Tyler's African American community. It was larger and more finely detailed than most homes of African American residents at the time. It also reflects the growth and development of Tyler's African American community in the first half of the 20th century.
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 02000995, listed September 14, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1313 W. Claude St., Tyler |
|---|---|
| County | Smith County |
| Listed | September 14, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000995 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1900-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Williams, Ezekiel (Zeke) W. |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Black, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; described as in fair condition with foundation settling and a need for minor repairs, retaining a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 32.35251, -95.31529 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 02000995.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001314
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.