| Additional Information: | This building was constructed in 1880 and it originally was rented to the H.S. Howell Drug Store. After the fire damaged the building in 1889, the building remained vacant until the mid-189s. In the late 1890s until the 1930s, a bakery was located in this building. In 1879, C. Kuhn had a bakery at this address.
The Palmer Building possesses potential historical significance as a central business type within Sparta. However, because little historical data is currently associated with the building, its role in the development of Sparta is unclear. It is therefore currently historically insignificant under criterion A.
This two-story, two-bay, red brick [presently painted] Italianate styled commercial building is characterized by a broad metal cornice ornamented by large and small brackets, a compartmentalized facade, and projecting segmental arched metal window heads. The window heads display carved abstract floral ornament and are topped by small triangular pediments. Two recessed bays created by brick work in the form if shouldered arches are further articulated by a long narrow window topped by the decorative window heads in each bay. The present contemporary style storefront is composed of a brick apron, plate glass windows and a main entrance as well as an entrance to the second floor on the south end of the storefront.
Generally well-preserved, the Hagerman Palmer building has been altered by the addition of a contempoary styled storefront in 1965.
This small Italianate style commercial building was constructed in 1880 for Hagerman O. Palmer, who purchased the property after a fire in late December of 1879 destroyed the previous building on the site [the Simpson Hardware Store]. The Simpson Building had been built after Simpson's earlier building was demolished by a fire in 1875 that also destroyed the north end of the block. The present Palmer building was repaired after sustaining damage by another fire in February of 1889. The fire started in the basement of the H.S. Howell Drug Store located in the building. Because of the heavy brick walls, the fire was contained in the basement and the front and rear walls remained intact. Apparently, the present 1880 building originally was rented to the H.S. Howell Drug Store.
The Palmer Building is significant under Criterion C as an example of the Italianate Commercial style. Well-preserved, the H.O. Palmer Building is an Italianate style commercial block characterized mainly by a projecting iron cornice and ornamental window treatment. Other well-preserved examples of the Italianate style include the buildings at 117 East Oak (MO35/20), 118 South Water (MO23/36), and 120 South Water (MO23/35). |
|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) City of Sparta, Community Development Office, Building Permit File.
(B) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1870-1930.
(C) Sparta Herald, Jan. 10, 1875; March 9, 1875; June 10, 1875; Dec. 30, 1879; Jan. 13, 1880; Aug. 10, 1880; Feb. 22, 1887; Feb. 5, 1889.
(D) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931.
(E) Monroe County Historical Society, Photograph File, Photograph #1283.
(F) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940.
(G) Annual Directory of Sparta, Wisconsin. Vol. 1. Chicago: Interstate Directory Co., 1897. |
|---|
