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 Rudolph Bergfeld Posted by:  TeamBPL
N 32° 19.983 W 095° 18.047
15S E 283443 N 3579679
Texas Historical marker located on the grounds of Bergfeld Park in Tyler, TX
Waymark Code: WMKEN7
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/01/2014
Views: 6
Marker Number: 15204
Marker Title: Rudolph Bergfeld
Index Entry: Bergfeld, Rudolph
Address: 1510 S. College Ave.
City: Tyler
County: Smith
UTM Zone: 15
UTM Easting: 283411
UTM Northing: 3579649
Subject Codes: business topics, general; banks, bankers, banking topics
Year Marker Erected: 2008
Designations: na
Marker Location: 1510 S. College Ave.
Marker Size: 27" x 42"
Marker Number: 15204
Marker Text:
(1855-1930)
Entrepreneur and property owner Rudolph Berfeld was a significant figure in the development of the city of Tyler. Bergfeld was born in Wisconsin and as a youth apprenticed at his uncle's jewelry business in Germany. He returned to the U.S. in 1874 and worked as a bookkeeper in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1878, Bergfeld moved to Tyler, where he opened a saloon. In 1880, he married Caroline "Lena" Pabst, moving into a house he built for her.
By the 1880s, Bergfeld opened a second saloon and began to work in real estate and railroad ventures. In 1887, he helped to open the Grande Opera House. By the 1890s, Bergfeld had turned his interest to banking, opening Bergfeld Loan & Trust, which merged with City National Bank to create Citizens National Bank in 1900. That same year, the newly created Tyler Chamber of Commerce appointed him Director. In 1901, he opened a second Bergfeld Loan & Trust, which in 1905 consolidated with Farmers & Merchants National Bank.
Bergfeld's real estate activities were also notable. He actively developed property throughout the city, including the historic Azalea District. Bergfeld also sold land to the city for use as a park, which was named in his honor. Besides Bergfeld's positions on banking boards, he served as chair or director of several different companies and organizations. He was also a member of the Board of Education of Tyler Public Schools (1906-1924) and of fraternal organizations. Rudolph Bergfeld died in 1930 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Today, he is remembered as a community leader whose business activities contributed greatly to the growth of Tyler. (2008)
Marker is property of the State of Texas
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