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JTHS History
The records for the history of the original JTHS are sketchy at best, but we present this history based on
available records at the Tyler Public Library. Much of what is shown here comes from the dozens of Alcaldes
that have been preserved in original form, the earliest being 1907, and some came from private historical
documents of those who were living in the area at the time. For those who have the interest and the time,
these records are available at the library at 201 S College Ave in Tyler, 3rd flr, historical documents section
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The first public school system in Tyler was established in 1882 and was followed by the founding of Texas College in 1894
and Tyler Junior College in 1926. It is assumed that Tyler High School, as was known at the time, was established sometime
around 1885-1890. The earliest photo (left) of JTHS found in historical documents is a picture of a building originally
built by Hubbard College and later became East Texas Institute.
At the time, ETI was a private military school and the structure was considered one of the grandest buildings in all
of Texas. However the university failed to grow sufficiently and the building was offered to Tyler for the location of
a state university property. However the building eventually became the official Tyler High School and was presumably
used by the high school for the next 10 years or so.
The picture on the left is a newer image of John Tyler High after a steeple was either freshly erected or rebuilt to provide
a robust architectural identity to its already growing culture. It operated under this name from
1885 to 1912 when solicitations for a newer and more functional campus were needed. The city was seeking a structure that
would lay the foundation for JTHS for many generations to come.
The school retained the name, Tyler High School, from 1880s until 1958 when the name was changed to
John Tyler High School. The name was changed again back to the original name on Aug 20, 2020, to
Tyler High School. The photo on the left is dated for 1912, which is roughly
the same time that the new Tyler High School was built.
The proposed new school drawing (left) is dated for about the 1906 time frame. Growing pains are evident in the TISD during this period.
This quest for a new school with a new identity led to recommendations
for the size and desired architecture that would fulfill those needs. The colored sketch shows the
building being proposed, and it strongly resembles the administration building of JTHS that we were
schooled in. That building, completed at last in 1912, formed the foundation of the JTHS campus
we came to know and admire. It was at its height in architectural/educational form when we attended
until its sale in the late 1960's. Modernism was on the rise in the Tyler
Independent School System. Fortunately most of it still stands to remind us of a short but significant period
when we were learning important life skills.
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