Dickson House (1909)

Ambrose Russell designed this grand Prairie-style home of 5,597 square feet for George and Minnie Dickson in 1909 at a cost of $30,000. Mrs. Dickson worked with Russell closely; and her taste and inspiration is most evident in the interior of the home. George Dickson came to Tacoma in 1882 and opened Dickson Brothers clothing in 1883 with his brother William. George died in 1935, Minnie in 1949—both at the home. Dr. Murray Johnson and his wife Helen bought the home in the early 1950s. Current owners Devitt and Deborah Barnett purchased the home in 2004.

The influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style, as well as the Arts and Crafts movement, is clearly seen in the prominent low-pitch roof of green tile that provides broad eaves and sweeps gracefully over the spacious porch. The first and second floors are done in different materials in a way that visually lowers the home's profile. The first floor and basement are constructed of locally quarried granite, which emphatically "anchors" the home. The second floor is done in contrasting cement stucco, which is strikingly banded horizontally both above and below the windows with inlaid glazed Moravian tiles. Vertical tile runs, with special accent tiles, join the horizontal bands, framing and highlighting the windows. The exterior entry porch features glazed tile. The wide oak entry door has its original ornate bronze doorknocker.

The wide entry hall features tapered posts in mahogany surrounded by inlaid oak. The mahogany Art Nouveau appliques to the posts, which soften the Arts and Crafts design, add visual interest. The living room, to the right, has an arched fireplace with Rookwood tile and andirons with maquette-size replicas of Florentine statues. The beams are mahogany. The dining room has oak beams and original burlap wallpaper on the ceiling. The fireplace has Rookwood tiles done in a leaves-and-grapes motif. The original chandelier is by Duffner & Kimberly. The floor in the entry, living room, and dining room is Australian gumwood. The grand staircase at the rear of the entry features quarter-sawn oak. The stairway posts are unusual and are fashioned with inlaid quarter-sawn oak veneer. The winged lion at the base of the stairway is especially noteworthy. The stairway landing has an inviting window seat. The second floor has four bedrooms and a full bath. The kitchen has been redone with period cabinets and an oak breakfast nook. The outer hall has a small bath.

The fully finished basement has a grand entertainment room with a billiard table at one end and a bandstand at the other. The cork-tile floor under the billiard table is striking. The entry to the room has the original hall tree and pool cue holder. The half bath still has its original tile floor and ornate porcelain fixtures.

Tacoma-Pierce County Buildings Index. Accessed October 7th 2020. https://cdm17061.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17061coll1/id/20414.