Archives West Finding Aid

William Ross Rust (1850-1928) was born in Pennsylvania on August 1, 1850. He moved to Washington in 1889, and purchased the Tacoma Smelting & Refining Company, a business that occupied 67 acres in Tacoma. The City of Ruston is named after him. The historic Rust mansions are also a part of his legacy. The original was constructed on 1001 North "I" Street in Tacoma's north end. The Rust family, including William's wife Helen and two sons, Henry Arthur Rust (August 21, 1900-May 13, 1936), and Howard Rust (April 11, 1886- April 9, 1911), lived in this house until 1911, the year that Howard mysteriously died. At that time a new house was constructed a few blocks away at 521 North Yakima Avenue. W.R. Rust founded the Tacoma Smelting and Refining Company, was president of the Chichagoff Mining Company (1910-1934), and held other business interests in Tacoma, Washington and Alaska. He was involved in over a dozen business concerns, including his own investment firm. In 1921, his business success was reflected in the construction of the Rust Building, located in the central business district of Tacoma. He was interested in Democratic Party politics and a friend of Hugh C. Wallace, a political activist and ambassador to France.