| Additional Information: | The J.A. Harvey building was completed on October 12, 1877, and opened as J.A. Harvey's "sample room and oyster depot." The J.A. Harvey Oyster restaurant had four oyster sampling stalls, and apparently, Harvey's recipes were popular at that time and in the past. It is not known how long J.A. Harvey Osyter restaurant existed.
Because little historical data is currently associated with the J.A. Harvey building, its role in the development of Sparta remains unclear. It is therefore currently historically insignificant under criterion A.
This two-story, two-bay Italianate styled commercial building is characterized by a wide, exceptionally elaborate projecting iron cornice. The cornice is decorated by brackets that are articulated by raised designs, block dentils, and a row of dentil trim. The freize of the entablature is decorated by panels in a scroll pattern. The rectangular recessed panel on the second story of the facade enframe two long segmental arched windows. The two long, narrow windows are ornamented by elaborate iron window heads comprised of a pediment topped cornice resting on consoles. The window openings are partially filled by brick and partially by small metal windows. A contemporary storefront with brick aprons and a recessed central entrance featuring a metal and glass door, transom windows, and sidelights is located on the lower story. An entrance door to the upper story is located on the south end of the storefront. A canopy extends across the top of the storefront.
This small Italianate styled commercial building has been altered by the addition of a contemporary storefront that is unsympathetic to its historic character. In addition, the building has been altered by the replacement of the windows with smaller windows. Previously, a new front of plate glass and steel imported from New York was added to the building in 1904 at the same time a new front was added to the adjacent Schrams building. The new front as well as a new stairway to the second floor was added to this building, owned at the time by the Husa Brewing Company, by local contractors Knauss and Huschka.
Constructed in 1877, this building was built at the same time as three other buildings on the block between 120 South Water and the Oak Street intersection [118 (MO23/36), 120 (MO23/35), and 126 (MO23/33) South Water Street]. This small retail building was built for J.A. Harvey. Harvey used this building originally to house his saloon and grocery store, that offered for sale a stock of specialty and confectionary items.
The Harvey Building is an Italianate styled commercial building exhibiting a good amount of integrity. One of 13 examples of the Commercial Italianate style in the proposed Water Street Historic District, the Harvey does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because the windows have been removed. Better-preserved examples of the Italianate style are located at 120 South Water (MO23/35), 117 East Oak (MO35/20), and 144 North Water (MP36/14). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sparta Herald Aug. 28, 1877; Sept. 4, 1877; May 10, 1904.
(B) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931.
(C) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1876-1930.
(D) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940. |
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