Mark in Texas History: Rudolph Bergfeld’s journey from saloon owner to Tyler power broker

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Rudolph Bergfeld was born in Wisconsin and apprenticed at his uncle’s jewelry business in Germany. Bergfeld moved to Tyler in 1878 and opened a saloon.

Bergfeld began working in real estate in the 1880s. By the 1890s, Bergfeld began banking. In 1900, the Tyler Chamber of Commerce named Bergfeld the director.

Bergfeld actively developed property throughout the city, including the historic Azalea District. He also sold land to the city to use as a park. That park was named in his honor and it houses a historical marker, which was established in 2008.

Today the park has picnic areas, tennis courts, a playground, an amphitheater and a spray ground.

The historical marker is located on the Broadway Avenue side of the park near the spray ground.