With a deep understanding of and appreciation for historic buildings, two local investors purchased this property in 2020 with a vision of restoring the 1932 Art Deco building to its nostalgic beauty, although it had been disguised since its 1980s renovation.
Designed and constructed in 1932 by local businessman and dairyman John L. Campbell to
accommodate street level retail tenants and second level apartments, the building is lauded as
one of the few remaining Art Deco / Art Moderne structures still standing in Smith County.
Architectural characteristics such as zig-zag brick patterns and cast stone ornamentation, along
with period appropriate materials such as glazed tile are particularly notable of the Art Deco
style. The original tenants, Eisen’s French Market and the Parisian Beauty Salon, were typical
of that time and they remained until the building was purchased by Gerald Mann, former Texas
Attorney General, in 1946.
Once purchased, it was converted into the Dixie-Sunshine-Trailways bus station and the Art
Moderne style addition, highlighted by the curved, glass-block windows on the second level, was constructed. Mr. Mann made his name as a
college football star at Southern Methodist University and was inducted into the national Football Hall of Fame in 1969, along with the
Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1962.
Through several mergers and acquisitions, Greyhound Bus Lines became the owner, and it was during their proprietorship that the 1980s renovation took place. Although metal panels added to the exterior during this renovation were unsightly and removed during the 2020 restoration, they can take credit for preserving the beautiful brick and stone façade lying underneath.
Countless stories of people traveling through the bus station going to war, visiting family around
the state, heading off to college, attending summer camps, as well as other significant
memories for the people of Tyler and East Texas have been told. Honoring those memories and
the rich history of the building, great pride and attention to detail has been taken to restore the
Tyler Union Station / Campbell building and the property was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places on January 19, 2023.
From its original design serving Tyler and East Texas locals via retail and living spaces, to its
next life as a bus station for transient, this historically relevant building has always been
centered around people and is bridging the past and present by serving both locals and
transient today. Welcome to the Greyhound Inn.
Sam Eisen, a local peddler, returns to Tyler and reopens his market
John Campbell owns and manages the Hotel Tyler
Union Bus Station/Campbell Building constructed in downtown Tyler
John Campbell develops the Campbell Building, deeded by his parents
Parisian Beauty Salon occupies retail
Sam Eisen moves Eisen’s French Market into the Campbell Building
Sunshine Trailways and Dixie Trailways become part of the Trailways system
Dixie Motor Coach Corporation acquires Sunshine Bus Lines in East Texas
Dixie Motor Coach Corporation and Sunshine Bus Lines merge into Dixie-Sunshine Trailways
World War II brings expansion to the bus transportation industry in East Texas
Parisian Beauty Salon relocates to the upper story during the building's renovation for the bus station
he building was renovated when purchased by Dixie Sunshine Trailways from local businessmen Bert Wilkinson and Max and G.L. Kirkpatrick
Delay in modernizing the bus industry due to the growth of the automobile industry in East Texas
Greyhound and Continental Trailways operate as major national bus lines in Tyler
Exterior of Union Station/Campbell Building in downtown Tyler covered
Long-distance bus industry remade, serving over 4,000 East Texas communities
Greyhound Lines, Inc. sells their building
Building renovation is complete and Greyhound Inn opens, adding a new chapter to its history in downtown Tyler, Texas..
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Greyhound Inn, and I must say that the overall experience was nothing short of AMAZING. From the moment I arrived until the moment I left, every aspect of my stay exceeded my expectations.
The attention to detail in the design and furnishings did not go unnoticed, and it made for a very pleasant and relaxing stay.
If you're looking for a luxurious, conveniently located boutique hotel with a unique historical touch, the Greyhound Inn is the perfect choice. I would stay there all day, every day if I could.
The building appears typical at first glance, but its distinctive ornamentation proudly embraces the Art Deco style. Featuring a zig-zag cast stone pattern, pilasters, and a cornice band, it reflects the characteristics of Art Deco—a style known for its angular and linear designs with stylized decorations.
The pilasters enhance the building's elevation, contributing a unique and sophisticated aspect to Tyler's architectural landscape.
In 1946, local architect George Howard designed a transformative addition that embraced the Art Moderne style. This streamlined update, with curved buff brick and glass block windows, marked the building's evolution into an interstate bus station.
The addition's "island" form facilitated open-air loading, emphasizing the building's role as a transportation facility.
The building's fusion of Art Deco and Art Moderne styles, especially with the 1946 addition, adds a unique touch to Tyler's architectural heritage. Despite a covering in the 1980s, the removal unveiled a remarkably intact exterior. The building retains a high degree of integrity in its location, setting, feeling, and association, offering a window into Tyler's past as it continues to stand prominently downtown.
The Tyler Union Station, Campbell Building is not just a relic of the past but a living testament to the city's resilience, adaptability, and architectural diversity. Its dual identity as a commercial space and a bus station reflect Tyler's growth and represents the spirit of its community across changing times.
311 N Bois D'Arc Ave Suite 101, Tyler, TX 75702
info@greyhoundinntx.com
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Check-out: 11 am
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