"Tyler - My Birthplace" Tyler by american_tourister

Tyler Travel Guide: 59 reviews and 151 photos

Carren in a field owned by my father - Tyler
Carren in a field owned by my father

My sister and I were born here. My father and brother still live here but other than when I was a baby I have never lived here. I visit some but it is a world apart from my lifestyle.

Tyler is East Texas redneck. I don't mean that in a bad way. I am a genetic redneck but never have really felt part of the culture here. The folks and way of life here are more akin to Arkansas and Northern Louisiana than they are to Central or South Texas.

It is an interesting place though. The people are genuinely friendly and will go out of their way to help with anything from directions to changing a tire. A Old South genteelness still is in existence here.

It is a place where you can still find old timers who hang out at the gas station and play checkers and where women have quilting nights. There are not a lot of places like it left.

It would be a shame for Tyler to change too much but I am afraid that it will. You can see it in all the new development and with the ever changing homoginization of American culture. It's all MTV everywhere now.

UPDATE - I was contacted by Pat Gee's Grandson who has informed me that they now serve beans and cole slaw.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Last of the old Texas lifestyles
  • Cons:Depressed economy
  • In a nutshell:A great place to visit but I'm glad I don't live there
  • Last visit to Tyler: Aug 2001
  • Intro Updated Aug 11, 2007
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Reviews (2)

Good thing mom was a big ol' woman - Tyler A wedding that should have been a movie Favorites (1)

If you have never attended a true Southern Wedding go rent the movie "Steel Magnolias". My brother's wedding was like... more travel advice

Carren has never had it so good! - Tyler A lotta soul in a little shack. Restaurants (1)

Without a doubt this is one of the top 10 BBQ joints in the world! It is a shack in the middle of the Piney Woods.... more travel advice

Comments (6)

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