Mark A. Thacker, AIA

Mark A. Thacker, AIA Mark A. Thacker, AIA, located in Tyler, Texas, is a full-service architecture firm providing professional architecture and historic preservation services.

I was invited to present at the Wood County Metal Detecting club. While preservation architecture entails analyzing and ...
02/05/2026

I was invited to present at the Wood County Metal Detecting club. While preservation architecture entails analyzing and researching old buildings, sometimes a metal detector is used.

It is a tool that can be used to locate a scatter of metal objects where a long gone building once stood, or find artifacts that can form a context of a way of life, or place a site on a timeline; the possibilities are limitless. Or just use the detector for fun, much better exercise than playing games on a phone in that recliner. How about the fresh air of the outdoors, the smell of digging in the earth, the thrill of a coin seeing the light of day?

My presentation was on the topic of research and recording, but an important component is a metal detector. I may post using one in the future.

Finally got the roof ridge cresting made and installed. Plants are happy.
01/22/2026

Finally got the roof ridge cresting made and installed. Plants are happy.

Dana’s greenhouse is generaly nearing completion. Front windows installed and fineals installed. Solar system and cresti...
12/11/2025

Dana’s greenhouse is generaly nearing completion. Front windows installed and fineals installed. Solar system and cresting left to do on exterior.

Progress with the non-historic greenhouse!
11/20/2025

Progress with the non-historic greenhouse!

Dana’s greenhouse project is slowly taking shape. Hoping to get finished before the first hard freeze.
11/16/2025

Dana’s greenhouse project is slowly taking shape. Hoping to get finished before the first hard freeze.

As a mason, it is unfortunate these beautiful works of architecture are ending up vacant. But then again, thanks to thos...
11/15/2025

As a mason, it is unfortunate these beautiful works of architecture are ending up vacant. But then again, thanks to those who preserve the building for future generations!

I have been involved in a few projects that saved old lodges, the oldest from the 1860’s that had a school on the first floor and a lodge on the second floor. What took place in that room hundreds of years ago is the exact same as today. The contributions to society by freemasonry continues.

After several months of hard work and no posts - we are back.This morning was some Wood County archeology. This was the ...
11/14/2025

After several months of hard work and no posts - we are back.

This morning was some Wood County archeology. This was the site of two hotels, the first from the 1880’s. A number of volunteers contributed their time to recover artifacts before the site is developed into a parking lot.

The layout tables were full. A couple of bottles, iron spikes, ceramic sherds, window glass, coal fragments, buttons, linoleum fragments, plaster (lime and cement), a few coins, brick… just to name a few finds. Each individual piece can tell a story, all together they can write a history book.

It is wonderful to see so many involved today; youngsters and some of us not so young. We are never too old to preserve our cultural history for future generations.

Get involved with your local historical commission or society!

I have been very busy with work. I wanted to make this post in tribute to the ones from April. I was sent this from a lo...
06/18/2025

I have been very busy with work. I wanted to make this post in tribute to the ones from April. I was sent this from a local citizen. Yes, this is the same home I investigated, wrote a 100+ page report of, and drew plans of the way it was. Look back on those previous posts.

The house had to be demolished. It appears to have been burned in place. No ceremony I know of. It was a symbol of history that represented perservence, determination, and longevity. The spirit of America and the people that built it.

Nothing of earth lasts forever. While my heart hurts for loosing this piece of history, at least it was a quick death. I see too many historic buildings that waste away to neglect and decay with no dignity; and no documentation.

I pour my heart and soul into saving these historic structures, but like I always say: “You can’t save them all, so just save the ones you can”.

Pre 1860’s house:Revealed a snake and wall papers. All walls and ceilings in the primary rooms had been originally cover...
04/15/2025

Pre 1860’s house:

Revealed a snake and wall papers. All walls and ceilings in the primary rooms had been originally covered with one generation of wall paper. The older rooms had at least two generations, or layers.

I will be comparing these to paint color samples to try to establish a timeline of color schemes and remodels/ additions.

I hate rats and mice, I did not see any today thanks to Mr. Snake (who was left unharmed).

Pre 1860’s house again.Think your kitchen is in a mess? I mentioned the hazards of my work in a previous post. Too many ...
04/13/2025

Pre 1860’s house again.

Think your kitchen is in a mess? I mentioned the hazards of my work in a previous post. Too many here to point out. I was fortunate to have an assistant on one trip who is now a certified mountain climber.

Pre 1860’s house:Rim locks are some of the earliest door hardware that shows up in East Texas. They are simple mechanica...
04/11/2025

Pre 1860’s house:

Rim locks are some of the earliest door hardware that shows up in East Texas. They are simple mechanical devices mounted on the door face and with an external bolt.

The k***s do vary; from clear glass, pink glass, purple glass, and metal finishes. Some are brown or white ceramic.

Locks were engaged with a skeleton key; which would usually work with any rim lock. These are from the pre-1870’s.

The pre 1860’s farm house - exterior. Here is what I have to work around sometimes. Snakes, rats, spiders, birds, skunks...
04/10/2025

The pre 1860’s farm house - exterior.

Here is what I have to work around sometimes. Snakes, rats, spiders, birds, skunks, dogs, scorpions, wasps, bees, raccoons, coyotes, and squirrels; the worst being wasps. Sometimes deceased animals, the worst ever was 9 dead cats in one room. I Love doing field work in the winter even though cold hands and field notes is a challange.

I have walked in a room of m**h heads, crack heads, and drug crap equal to Pfizer’s best lab. Yes, I am sometimes armed with a C**t 45 and yes I am licensed to carry.

I have had many experiences with unexplainable occurancies (ghosts). I just tell them I have a job to do, listen to what they have to say, then keep going; have not been harmed yet. I am more scared of the wasps than lingering spirits.

It’s sometimes dangerous work; possibly falling through, or off, a roof, falling through the ceiling from the attic, getting stuck in a crawl space, cut by nails…. Stairs are often sketchy.

Want to be a preservation architect?
I want to!

Address

203 South Henry Street
Lindale, TX
75771

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(903) 595-2656

Website

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