This turn-of-century house was originally built over Catfish Creek by the Rietsch family in the 1890's, and the creek still flows through a brick and stone tunnel under the rear of the house. However, as you first approach the house from the street (Rte 40, or the famous National Pike), the first detail to strike you is the massive stone porch. The stones came from the original Washington County Courthouse - the same stones were used to build the creek race that now funnels Catfish Creek under the kitchen.

Rush House was originally part of the Rosborough farm, deeded to Mr. Rosborough's son in a will probated in 1872; this will specified all of the property along the National Pike, which was later divided into lots and incorporated into the City of Washington in 1889. Lots #10 and 11 in the Rosborough Plan were purchased by the Rietsch family in 1893 and 1897. The house was built on lot #10, the first lot to be purchased.

The Rietsch family was involved in stone masonry according to the City Directory of 1894-1895; they conducted a business, Rietsch Brothers Stone Masons, from this address on Maiden Street. Five brothers lived in the house with their parents: Charles, Joseph, Louis, Sebastian and John, and all worked at the family business. "The History of Washington County" recalls the Rietsch family through one of the five brothers, Louis.  Louis Rietsch is remembered as such: "Louis Rietsch, a member of the well known firm of Rietsch Brothers, general stone and brick contractors of Washington, PA has been a resident here for the past twenty one years. He was born in France, March 25, 1867, and there became a bricklayer and stone mason by trade. At the age of twenty-one years he came to America and located for two years at Hartford, Connecticut, after which he came to Washington where he worked at his trace until the present firm of Rietsch Brothers was established. They carry on a general contracting business in stone and brick work and road building, and are practically engaged in doing all kinds of general contracting, ranking high among the leading contractors of Washington. Mr. Rietsch is a stockholder in the Real Estate and Trust Company of Washington; he has served as a member of the city council of South Washington, and also as a member of the council of Washington Borough, participating actively in local politics. Mr. Rietsh is a member of the Catholic Church. "

Local lore has it that the Rietsch family worked in the construction of the present Washington County Courthouse, built in 1899, and that the large stones used to construct the front porch were taken from the previous courthouse. Also, the culvert which is built under Maiden Street beside the house, and which accommodates Catfish Creek is identical to the tunnel under the Rush House, so it is assumed that brothers also built this and, as road builders, may have had more to do with the construction of a sturdier National Road through Washington.

The house itself is built over Catfish Creek, the foundation being laid on either side of the creek and a tunnel constructed to conduct the water safely under the house. It is believed that the room across the foot bridge over the creek was at one time a springhouse, and a waterwheel conducted water into the room, where it circulated and ran out through a hole in the stone at the foot of the of the door. The floor of the creek, from the place where it first enters the tunnel to the end of the property has been lined with immense stones, and stone walls have been constructed on either side of the creek. It is thought that the original house was a foursquare, a simple design with four rooms downstairs and four on the second floor. The back wing, which houses the present dining room and kitchen and is presently over the creek, was constructed at a later date.

The Rietsch Family lived in the house from 1893 to 1919, approximately 26 years, and then sold the property to S. U. Ross. Mr. Ross owned it for only 2 years and in 1921 sold the property to Lily Coal and Coke Company. It was around this time that coal became a major contributing factor to the local economy, and it is also local lore that the coal company used the house for visiting dignitaries and as a Tourist Home. In 1924, the house was sold to W.K. Jones, who owned it until it was sold to Floyd and Flossie Rush in 1944. The Rush family owned the property until 1996, a period of 52 years, and the longest of any of the previous owners. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler owned the home from 1996 till 2005, and thus are the ones who named the home the Rush House (as the Rush Family owned the property for the longest time).  Madonna and Costa Maroulis bought the house in Sept. 2005.