William Ross Rust House, Historic mansion in Tacoma, United States.
The William Ross Rust House is a Neoclassical house in Tacoma, Washington, built in 1905 of sandstone from the Wilkeson quarry. It has a green glazed terra cotta tile roof, 18 rooms, 4 baths and 8 fireplaces, and was modeled on the John A. McCall Mansion in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Built in 1905 for William Ross Rust, president of the Tacoma Smelter and Refining Company, the house was designed by Ambrose J. Russell of Russell & Babcock and constructed by Charles Miller. That same year ASARCO, controlled by the Guggenheim family, acquired the smelter. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 23, 1985.
The house was modeled on the John A. McCall Mansion in Monmouth County, New Jersey, built in 1903 and destroyed by fire in 1927. Its architect, Ambrose J. Russell of Russell & Babcock, also designed the Washington Governor's Mansion. The firm worked with Everett Phipps Babcock, and Charles Miller built the house.
The house is a private residence and is not open for tours; its sandstone walls and green terra cotta roof can be seen from the street. It stands in Tacoma, Washington, at coordinates 47.26650, -122.46100. Visitors should view it from public ground and respect the privacy of occupants.
The roof is covered with green terra cotta tiles, an unusual color choice that stands out distinctly from standard roofing of the era. This rare feature was a deliberate design choice to give the property visual character.
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