Property Record
103-105 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Jones and Evans Building; Clark and Carroll |
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| Other Name: | Meyer's Main Bar; Ye Old Barn Ceramics |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 7177 |
| Location (Address): | 103-105 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1878 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | tavern/bar |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
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| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/2/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This double storefront building was the location of a number of retail businesses and offices. Michael Carroll operated a book and stationary store under his name and under the names Clark and Carroll and City Book Bindery between c. 1885 and 1900. Clara Weis operated a millinery shop here from around 1885 and 1890. Her shop later was taken over by the Charles Gamm drug store until around 1900. During the early twentieth century, the building was known as the Evans Building and had office and retail space. This building has some historical interest as the location of a number of retail businesses. None of the businesses was individually significant for local history, but they do contribute to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial historic district. Built around 1878, the Jones and Evans building is a three-story building articulated by a braketed. projecting Italianate cornice and recessed panels on the pink tinted brick facade. Stone shoulder arched iwndow heads accented by articulated keystones on the second story and similar window heads in a segmentally arched design on the third story over long narrow windows placed in the recessed bays provide the varied window treatment typical of the Italianate style. Metal replacement window sashes have altered the second story windows. The building has been further altered by the addition of the present storefront remodeled in a contemporary manner. A one-story addition with segmental arched windows is located at the rear. The Jones and Evans building is significant under criterion C as an example of commercial Italianate architecture. One of five best examples of the Italianate influence in the proposed Main Street Commercial Historic District, the Jones and Evans building exhibits the prerequisite projecting cornice as well as the articulated window heads of varied design associated with Italianate design. Other good examples of the Italianate style in the proposed Main Street Historic District include the Misegades Wagon Works at 202 No. Water (63-4), the buildings at 116-118 W. Main (72-22), 413 E. Main (65-2) and 107-109 E. Main (65-15). Built in 1878 as a double store in a cooperative venture for Jones and Evans and initially used for their dry goods store, this Italianate styled, commercial building has been altered by the addition of metal storm windows on the second story and by the addition of a contemporary storefront. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) "Revised Tariff of Rates for Watertown, Wis.," National Board of Fire Underwriters, April 13, 1876. (C) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |