A tornado struck southeast Tyler Texas, at 7:55 a.m., Friday, April 26, 1957, just as children were arriving at school and adults were heading to work. It started at Copeland Road near the south Loop, and continued on northeast to damage Pollard Methodist Church, Andy Woods Elementary, Bell Elementary, Tyler Junior College, and Friendly Baptist Church, as well as numerous homes. Fortunately, no one was killed or seriously injured, but the shock stayed with many families for decades.