Rosson House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dr. Roland Lee Rosson House
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(2021)
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| Location | 113 North 6th Street, Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | George Franklin Barber via A.P. Petit |
| Architectural style | Stick-Eastlake Queen Anne Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000112 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1971 |
The Rosson House is a beautiful old home in Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It's located at 113 North 6th Street, right on the corner of Monroe Street. This house was built a long time ago, between 1894 and 1895.
It's designed in a special style called Stick-Eastlake - Queen Anne Style, which is part of Victorian architecture. A San Francisco architect named A. P. Petit designed it. The house is named after Dr. Roland Lee Rosson and his wife, Flora Murray Rosson, who were its first owners. Over the years, many different families lived in the house. Eventually, the City of Phoenix bought it and carefully brought it back to its original look.
The Rosson House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it's recognized as an important historical building.
Contents
What Makes the Rosson House Special?
Its Unique Design
The Rosson House is a great example of Stick-Eastlake Queen Anne Style Victorian architecture. It was designed by A. P. Petit, a well-known architect from San Francisco. This was actually his last design before he passed away.
Some people wonder if the design was truly unique to Petit. Similar plans can be found in old books, like Design #1 from George Franklin Barber's Cottage Souvenir #2. The house shows influences from different cultures. For example, it has a Chinese-style "moon gate," windows with Italianate hoods, and an octagonal (eight-sided) tower like those found in French architecture.
Who Lived in the Rosson House?
The Rosson Family
Dr. Roland Rosson first came to Phoenix in 1879. He worked as a doctor and surgeon. He practiced medicine in Phoenix from 1879 until 1897. Besides being a doctor, Dr. Rosson was also involved in local politics.
- In 1884, he was elected as the Maricopa County coroner.
- In 1890, he became the county treasurer.
- He was elected Mayor of Phoenix on May 7, 1895. He served in this role without pay.
- He resigned as mayor on April 6, 1896, after some disagreements with the city council.
Roland Rosson married Flora B. Murray in Phoenix in 1880. They had seven children together. Five of their children, Irene, Vivien, Floy, Norma, and Clyde, grew up. Sadly, two other children died when they were very young.
In 1882, Flora Rosson bought the land where the Rosson House now stands. Before the big house was built, the Rossons likely lived in a smaller adobe house on the same property. In September 1894, local newspapers asked for bids to build a new house for Dr. Rosson. George E. Cisney became the contractor, and the house was almost finished by December.
By March 1895, Dr. Rosson's office and home were listed at the corner of Monroe and Sixth streets. The Rosson House was very modern for its time. It had electric lights, hot and cold running water, an indoor bathroom upstairs, and even a telephone! Other fancy homes in Phoenix also had these new features. The city had electricity, a water system, and telephone companies. A streetcar line ran nearby, making it easy for the Rossons to travel.
From 1895 to 1897, the Rosson family rented their home to Whitelaw Reid. He was an important Republican and ran a newspaper called the New York Tribune. Mr. Reid had a lung condition, and doctors suggested he come to Arizona for his health. He ran his newspaper from Phoenix using typed letters and telegraphs. His letters give us a great look into what life was like in the early Rosson House and Phoenix.
In June 1897, the Rossons sold their house and moved to Los Angeles, California. The exact reasons for their move are not fully known. They may have had some financial difficulties. Renting their new house to Whitelaw Reid might have been a way to earn extra money. Dr. Rosson passed away in Los Angeles in 1898 after an illness. Flora died in Los Angeles in 1911.
Other Families Who Lived Here
After the Rossons, several other families owned the house.
- The Goldbergs: In 1897, Aaron and Carrie Goldberg bought the house. Aaron Goldberg was a well-known Jewish businessman and politician in Phoenix. He helped write the bill that made Phoenix the permanent capital of Arizona. Their son, Chester, was born in the Rosson House.
- The Higleys: In 1904, the Goldbergs sold the house to Steven W. Higley. He was a railroad builder and later owned part of The Arizona Republic newspaper. The Higleys lived in the house with their children. Two of their sons, Thomas and James, served in World War I.
- The Gammels: The Gammel family bought the house in 1914 and lived there longer than any other family, until 1948. William Gammel had been a gambler. When Prohibition became law, it hurt his business. His wife, Frankie Gammel, started renting out rooms in the Rosson House. To make it better for renters, the Gammels made many changes to the house. They added walls to porches and put in more kitchens and bathrooms.
After 1948, the Rosson House changed owners many times and continued to be a rooming house. It eventually became run down. In 1974, the City of Phoenix bought the Rosson House. With help from the city, local groups, and many volunteers, the house was carefully restored to its original beauty.
Visiting the Rosson House
Today, the Heritage Square Foundation and Guild manages the Rosson House. It is a historic house museum in Phoenix's Heritage and Science Park. You can take public tours to learn more about its history and see what life was like in Phoenix over 100 years ago.
See also
- Heritage Square, Phoenix
