Rutabegorz
- Historically Known As: Artz Building
- Address: 150- 158 W Main St
- Phone: (714) 731-9807
The Artz Building, constructed in 1914, is a single-story, flat roofed Neo-Classical building on a corner lot in the old commercial section of Tustin. It is clad in stucco and is notable for the row of eight columns, topped with Ionic capitals, that support a portico that provides shelter for the sidewalk and entrances. The building retains a high degree of integrity.
Sam Tustin built this building in I914 to house the general store of Charles 0 Artz, Mr Artz remained in, business here until 1931. During his seventeen year tenancy, the store served as a type of social center for the town and surrounding ranches. Dry goods were sold in the eastern half, and groceries in the western half. An often-heard story relates that one night, after Mr Arts had fumigated the building with cyanide, a burglar climbed in a back window. He was found dead of cyanide poisoning the next morning.
Samuel Tustin, who owned this block of buildings, carried on the legacy started by his father, Columbus (Columbus Tustin was one of the founders of Tustin), and was a prominent person in the area. In addition to the construction and ownership of stores also was in the orange and walnut ranching business.
The Arts Building has served a variety of commercial uses during the 1930s through the 1970s . The Rutabegorz Restaurant was installed in the Iate 1970s and still occupies both-halves of the building. The Tustin Elementary School District brought the children hare for classes while repairs were being made in the grammar school after the 1923 earthquake. - NRHP, 15 March 1994