House, The Palms and St. Francis Hospital at 730 H. Street, Eureka, California was designed and built by Fred and Walter Butterfield in 1885 for owners Thomas Fouts Ricks and his wife, Eva.

[1] The building is a two-story detached Eastlake ornamented dwelling with three bays and a 1.5-story rear addition located on a quarter city block.

[2] The house is architecturally significant as most detailed example of Eastlake style in Eureka.

[2][3] Thomas F. Ricks (1855–1908) was born in Eureka, California, the son of 49-er Caspar S. Ricks (November 10, 1821 Rome, Indiana - June 21, 1888 San Francisco) who built many business and residential blocks in Eureka and Adaline A. Fouts of Clark County, Indiana who also owned Eureka property independent from that of her husband.

[4] Thomas' younger brother, Hiram Lambert Ricks (1860 - January 27, 1921) established the present day Eureka water system, then named the "Ricks Water Company", served as Mayor of Eureka, and began campaigning for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad to Captain A.H. Payson, then president of the line.