702 North J Street (1907)

The architectural firm of Russell & Babcock designed this handsome Swiss influenced craftsman in 1907 for James Dege, who came to Tacoma in 1889 from Atlanta where he worked in the clothier trade. Dege began working in a Tacoma bank and was later appointed Deputy Auditor. He began studying law and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. In 1898 he became a captain in the First WA Volunteers.

The architectural firm of Russell & Babcock designed this handsome Swiss influenced craftsman in 1907 for James Dege, who came to Tacoma in 1889 from Atlanta where he worked in the clothier trade. Dege began working in a Tacoma bank and was later appointed Deputy Auditor. He began studying law and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. In 1898 he became a captain in the First WA Volunteers. In 1901 he returned to the clothing business, partnering with William Milner and opening Dege & Milner, a clothing store.

Architect Ambrose Russell was born in India, son of a Scottish missionary. By age 18 Russell decided to design buildings and enrolled at the University of Glasgow. He soon won a scholarship to attend the renowned École des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he became friends with classmate Bernard Maybeck. In 1884 Russell became one of famed architect H. H. Richardson’s last apprentices before his death. Before moving to Tacoma in 1892, Russell worked in several U. S. cities, including a brief partnership with Maybeck in Kansas City. He was associated with a number of architects and firms, including Albert Sutton, P. H. Heath, Spalding, and Babcock.

Other houses designed by Russell & Babcock:

• 1001 North I Street (1905)
• 916 North K Street (1905)
• 901 North I Street (1906)
• 1414 North 5th Street (1907)
• 609 North I Street (1907)
• 710 North I Street (1907)
• 702 North J Street (1907)
• 901 North J Street (1908)

A Walking Tour of the North Slope Historic District. Tacoma, WA. Historic Tacoma Press, 2008.