Property Record
901 S 6TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | August Gamm House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 7108 |
| Location (Address): | 901 S 6TH ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1861 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Clyman Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 8/3/2015 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/27/2015 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This was the home of August Gamm between the 1860s and around 1900. Gamm began in business as part owner of a flour and feed store. Later, he operated a crockery store on Main Street. This house has some historical interest as the long-time residence of August Gamm, a small merchant in Watertown's comemrcial district. While Gamm's business was long and successful, it is not individually significant. A vernacular brick house influenced by the Greek Revival, this small cream brick house features a raised brick cornice with "rick-rack" brick trim and cornice returns in the gable end. The raised brick border continues along the edge of the gable simulating a raking cornice. Rectangular windows with eight lights and six over six lights, and stone lintels further characterize the house. A metal door hood over the off-set entrance in the street facing gable end has replaced the original porch. A one-story brick addition is located at the rear. The August Gamm House is a well-preserved example of a vernacular brick house influenced by the Greek Revival style. One of a very few extant houses exhibiting definite Greek Revival influences, the Gamm house features a simple gable roofed form, multipaned windows, cornice and cornice returns in the pedimented gable end of the house. Other good examples of the Greek Revival influence are the houses at 900 E. Cady (50-16), 216-218 N. Washington (55-26) and 614 Cleveland (21-6). Built 1861, this house was owned by August Gamm who along with his brother George owned a crockery store at 400 East Main Street. In addition, the Gamm house is significant because it is one of the best preserved of the small brick houses with "rick-rack: brick trim along the eaves and gable that is associated with the German section of town. However, the Gamm house is not located in the traditional German neighborhood north of Main Street. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown, Wisconsin Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |