Property Record
907 Clyman St.
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | William & Josephine Sproesser House |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 7140 |
| Location (Address): | 907 Clyman St. |
|---|---|
| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1913 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Clyman Street Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 8/3/2015 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/27/2015 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This house was built for William Sproesser, a jeweler and businessman, in 1913. He lived there until his death in the 1950s. Sproesser took over his father's jewelry business in 1868. But he had significant outside interests. He was involved in the Globe Milling Company in the early twentieth century, and the Merchants Bank. He was also a talented musician and singer. This house is significant for association with a significant person, William Sproesser. Sproesser was one of the most successful businesspersons in Watertown in the early twentieth century. His business interests beyond the jewelry company helped the economic growth and development of the community in the twentieth century. Because this house was built for him at the height of his significance in the community, it is historically significant for its association with him. Built in 1913 for the William Sproesser family, this dark brick house exhibiting the "Classic Box" form features multiple wooden, arched, pedimented roof dormers, overhanging eaves and cornice decorated with modillions and dentils, and an accentuated entrance. Constructed on an elevated foundation, the central entrance accessed by a flight of stairs bordered by wooden railings has multipaned windows with exterior window seats placed on both sides and is covered by the second story balustrated balcony placed under the second story bay window. Masonry window heads with stylized articulated keystones over multipaned upper window sashes, brick quoins, and a decked west side sunporch with fluted, Doric columns and a balustrade are additional Colonial Revival characteristics of this well-preserved house. The arched dormers are probably by Claude and Starck. An addition has been added to the rear of the house. The William Sproesser house is significant as an example of the Colonial Revival style, more specifically the Georgian Revival style. One of three good examples of the Colonial Revival built in the early 29th century, this house exhibits the "Classic Box" form, the multiple pedimented roof dormers, the greatly accentuated central entrance, the bay windows, dentils and Doric columns associated with the Colonial Revival of the early 20th century. Other significant examples of the style are the houses at 214 South Washington (55-6) and 408 S. Washington (54-27). |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Evelyn Ruddick Rose, Our Heritage of Homes, (Watertown Historical Society, 1980), pp. 76. (B) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown, Wisconsin Public Library. (C) Watertown, Wisconsin Centennial 1854-1954, Watertown: Jansky Printing Company, 1954, p. 58. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |