This house at 1616 S. Tyler Street was built in 1913. It was the childhood home of Tula Ellice Finklea, better known as Cyd Charisse.
Cyd Charisse was born in Amarillo, Texas on March 8, 1922 as Tula Ellice Finklea. Her father Ernest Enos Finklea, Sr, was a jeweler in Amarillo. Cyd Charisse became a dancer and actress who played in such films as "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Band Wagon." She died in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2008.
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| 1616 S. Tyler, Amarillo, TX -- Childhood home of Cyd Charisse |
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| 1616 S. Tyler, Amarillo, TX -- Childhood home of Cyd Charisse |
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| 1921 Sanborn Insurance Map Shows the Home at 1616 S. Tyler |
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| Cyd Charisse |
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| Cyd Charisse |
I believe Cyd was related to the Dawson's or the Flynt families from Tulia.
ReplyDeleteReally? Anyway, she was an amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteThe death certificate for Earnest E. Finklea says 1614 Tyler. When checking I didn't find a 1614.
ReplyDeleteHe of course was Cyd's Dad. He passed in 1938. !930 census says they were on Taylor street, however mistakes get made. 1940 census shows Mrs Finklea on Van Buren. FYI
A relative of mine owned this house at 1616 Tyler after Cyd’s family. I spent every summer of my youth there. It was a majestic house with multiple bedrooms, a library, two living rooms, a walk-thru kitchen pantry, a huge basement and much more. I miss that house, and my time there, so much.
ReplyDeleteI live there now. Would be interested to know more about the original floor plan.
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