Rosson House

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The Rosson House was built in 1895 and still sits in its original foundation in downtown 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.

[edit] Architecture

This house is commonly agreed to be of the Eastlake Queen Ann Victorian style. It was designed by prominent San Francisco 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.

[edit] History

This house was built for Dr. Roland Lee Rosson and his wife 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 Reid's 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.