Here she is-the Blackstone Building, all six stories of classic Art Deco flair. Take a good look at that streamlined design. Built back in 1938, right in the thick of the East Texas oil boom, this place was the answer to Tyler’s sudden craving for office space. Picture businessmen in snappy suits, oil company execs, geologists, and lawyers-maybe the odd shady character or two-clacking up those steps with dreams of black gold.
It took local contractor Hugh E. White and architect Preston Geren to pull this off, thanks to a $100,000 price tag at the time-that’s nearly $2 million today. Oil wasn’t the only thing passing through: the building also doubled as a bus terminal for years. So, you had wildcatters and weary travelers all sharing space. Meanwhile, the old Blackstone Hotel next door is long gone-imploded in the ‘80s-but the Blackstone Building stands firm, still hustling as office space and home to the Tyler Chamber of Commerce.
When you’re ready, the Cotton Belt Depot Museum is just a 4-minute walk north.
