Tyrrell Historical Library
🏢 Beaumont Public Library System · Beaumont, Texas
Tyrrell Historical Library
A 1903 Romanesque-Gothic landmark donated to Beaumont by oil magnate Captain W.C. Tyrrell in honor of his wife Helen, the Tyrrell Historical Library has served researchers for nearly a century with one of Southeast Texas's richest genealogical and Texana collections.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 695 Pearl Street, Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 833-2759
Website: beaumonttexas.gov
Plus Code: 86273WJ3+R7 (Beaumont, TX)
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📖 About Tyrrell Historical Library
Built in 1903 as the First Baptist Church of Beaumont, the building at 695 Pearl Street was designed by architect Alonzo N. Dawson in a striking mix of Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian Gothic styles — pointed arch windows, quatrefoils, and all of its original stained glass still intact. When the congregation relocated in 1923, Pennsylvania-born oil tycoon and philanthropist William Casper 'Captain W.C.' Tyrrell purchased the vacant structure and donated it to the City of Beaumont, naming it in memory of his wife Helen. After renovations it opened in September 1926 as Beaumont's first public library. It served as the main city library until 1974, when a new main branch opened, and it was then rededicated as the Tyrrell Historical Library — a specialized research facility focused on genealogy and Texas history. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1978) and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1976). Following water damage from Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda, the library underwent a half-million-dollar restoration and reopened in January 2020.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1903 Romanesque-Gothic church building designed by architect Alonzo N. Dawson — original stained glass, pointed arches, and quatrefoils still intact; on the National Register of Historic Places (1978)
- Named for Helen Tyrrell by her husband Captain W.C. Tyrrell, a Pennsylvania-born oil magnate who made his fortune after the 1901 Spindletop discovery and became one of Beaumont's greatest philanthropists
- More than 25,000 books on genealogy, Texas history, and art — including a hallmark Texana collection with city directories, Texas newspapers, and over 1,700 art volumes
- U.S. Census microfilm spanning 1790–1920, Jefferson County Marriage Records (1837–1883), Deed Index (1836–1946), Texas Birth/Death Indexes (1903–1976/1973), and Passenger Lists at Galveston (1896–1951)
- Free digital access via the Tyrrell Digital Collections portal (CONTENTdm), the Heritage Hub genealogy database, and the Portal to Texas History — materials do not circulate; in-library research only
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Beaumont Public Library System cardholders and on-site visitors can access genealogical databases and digital archives free:
📚 Services
- In-library genealogical research with dedicated research staff
- Microfilm readers with scanning capability (census, newspapers, vital records)
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Public computers with access to genealogical databases
- ArchivesSpace finding aids for manuscript and archival collections
- Reference assistance from specialist library staff
- Materials do not circulate — in-library use only; pencil required, cotton gloves for photographs
🎸 Programs
- Genealogy research assistance — staff available Mon–Fri to guide census, vital records, and local history research
- Rotating exhibits on Southeast Texas history (e.g., Melody Maids all-girls choral group 1940s–1970s; Neches River Festival records)
- Educational lectures and themed presentations organized by the Tyrrell Historical Library Association (e.g., wartime toys history)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southeast Texas
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Captain W.C. Tyrrell, and why is the library named for his wife Helen?
William Casper 'Captain W.C.' Tyrrell (1847–1924) was a Pennsylvania-born financier who relocated to Beaumont after the 1901 Spindletop oil discovery and earned millions as an oil speculator and venture capitalist. Known for generous philanthropy — donating to disaster victims and struggling businesses across Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Houston — he purchased the vacant First Baptist Church building in 1923 and donated it to the city as its first public library. He named the gift in memory of his wife Helen, making it one of the few Texas libraries named for a woman through a husband's bequest.
What makes the 1903 building architecturally distinctive?
Architect Alonzo N. Dawson designed the building as a church in a blend of Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian Gothic styles, featuring pointed arch windows, quatrefoils, and all of its original stained glass — still intact today. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1978) and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1976), and is a contributing property to the Beaumont Commercial Historic District. After sustaining water damage from Hurricanes Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda, a half-million-dollar restoration returned it to service in January 2020.
Can I check out books or take materials home from the Tyrrell Historical Library?
No — nothing circulates at the Tyrrell Historical Library. It functions as a specialized research repository: all books, microfilm, manuscripts, photographs, and archival documents must be used in-library. Researchers are required to use pencils (no pens), and cotton gloves are provided for handling photographs and negatives. The library is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
What genealogical records are available for Jefferson County and Southeast Texas?
The library holds Jefferson County Marriage Records (1837–1883), Jefferson County Index to Deeds (1836–1946), tax rolls, probate documents, and a complete run of the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal newspapers. Census microfilm covers the entire United States from 1790 through 1920. Texas-specific holdings include Birth Index (1903–1976), Death Index (1903–1973), Passenger Lists at Galveston (1896–1951), Mexican War and Civil War military service records, and special census schedules for 1850–1880. Research staff are available Monday–Friday to assist.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
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