The Rutherglen Mansion
The 13,000 sq. ft., English colonial house, was first occupied February 1, 1927. Built on a 50-acre home site, the three-story home was entirely framed from Douglas fir manufactured at Longview. The siding is all Longview cut cedar. The central grand stairway and the surrounding panel is gumwood shipped from the southern states. The foundation, faced in stone, aid the two large chimneys are constructed of rock quarried from Mt. Solo. In what was once the library, one of the largest single displays of grainart can be found. Grainart was a small side business of Long-Bell Lumber Co. As an art form, a pattern was laid over wood panels, then the wood was gently sandblasted. Customers could choose the design and size of panel for a fee ranging from $.25 to $10.00, dealer cost. The technique proved too expensive, once the great depression hit, and was later abandoned by Long-Bell.
Luxury and spaciousness were not spared in the construction of the Tennant mansion. The seven bedrooms, most with private tiled bathrooms and some with fireplaces allowed for privacy and quiet. The fireplaces are faced with imported. French tiles, all depicting scenes from the out-of-doors. Even the radiator covers are works of art, wood panels crafted with intricate designs of dragons and flowers. The third floor ballroom, now a wedding chapel, was the site of many grand affairs during the lifetime of the Tennants'.
Following J.D. Tennant's death in 1949, the family sold The Mansion and a succession of changes occurred. For eighteen years it was a nursing home. In 1972, Reuben Grendahl, the fourth owner, purchased the home for his family. The Grendahl family lived in The Mansion for a short time; then with the death of his wife, the family moved into the carriage house across the driveway. Reuben rented The Mansion as a girl's home and later a meeting facility for a church. In 1994, he leased it as a restaurant and a bed and breakfast.
After retirement from the merchant marines and with his children grown, Reuben's second career has been to restore and preserve The Mansion. In 1997, at the age of 71 years, Reuben took over the management of the restaurant and bed & breakfast. When not managing the restaurant he is constantly overseeing new projects: the construction of the retaining wall at the front lawn, enclosing the porch for additional restaurant seating, adding on the veranda, digging out a wine cellar, and building a newly constructed shop. The many beautiful rugs in The Mansion were collected from Rueben's world travels. Reuben's philosophy for life is that everyday one must wake up and have something in mind to accomplish.
The Tennants named the long driveway up to The Mansion Rutherglen Road. The Mansion is now officially named The Rutherglen Mansion; it is on the historic registry.
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