Rosson House History ~ Historic Phoenix Home Classic

Rosson House


The Rosson House Museum was built in 1895 still sits in its original foundation in downtown historic central Phoenix’s Heritage Square. Originally named for Dr. Roland Lee Rosson, and his wife Flora Murry, this house changed hands numerous times before finally being purchased by the city and restored very accurately to its original condition. It now serves as a museum, offering docent guided tours Wednesday through Sunday in the central historic Phoenix area.

Architecture

This house is commonly agreed to be of the Eastlake Queen Ann Victorian style. It was designed by prominent San Franciscan architect A.P Petit. This was the last house Petit designed and he unfortunately died before its competition. Near exact floor plans and blue prints of this house can be found in literature published before Petit’s design of the house, causing controversy that perhaps this house is not as unique as originally thought. The architecture displays numerous attributes contributed from different cultures, such as an oriental moon gate, Italian hooded windows, and a French octagonal tower.

History

This house was build for Dr. Roland Lee Rosson and his with Flora Murry. Shortly after its completion Dr. Rosson was elected Mayor of Phoenix. The house was thought to have greatly influenced his victory. It was the first house in Phoenix to be made of wood and brick instead of adobe bricks. It also had such modern accommodations as “the electric light”, hot and cold running water, and indoor (upstairs) bathroom, and a telephone.

Whitelaw Reid rented this house for 2 winters from the Rosson’s when his doctors informed him that the dry climate could help with his respiratory problems. Whitelaw’s Reids' pen and ink set was donated to the Rosson house after his death and can be found on display. It is from Whitelaw Reid’s letters and correspondence about the house that we know so much about its history. Without these letters it would have been difficult to restore the house with such accuracy.

Now the home sits as a Historic Phoenix icon.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors.

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