Property Record
211 S WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | E.J. Kowitz Building |
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| Other Name: | Advantage Real Estate Inc./Ad-Visual Inc. |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 28037 |
| Location (Address): | 211 S WATER ST |
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| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
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| Year Built: | 1910 |
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| Additions: | 1966 |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Water Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/12/1992 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/3/1992 |
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| Additional Information: | Prior to 1911, this site was part of the E. Thorbus and Son and later the Davis and Jones agricultural implement business. Sometime between 1910-1911, the present building was constructed and functioned as factory for the Sparta Bottling Works owned by E.J. Kowitz and other partners. The building functioned this way for an indeterminate period of time. The E.J. Kowitz Building has potential for local historical significance under criteria A in association with the Industrial Theme. However, there is little historical data currently associated with the building and its role in the development of Sparta remains unclear. This two-story, three-bay commercial vernacular brick building is characterized by a brick facade divided vertically into three bays by applied brick pilasters topped by a plain brick cornice. recessed brick panels with corbeling along the top are located between the pilasters. A rectangular windows with white masonry lintel and sill [larger window in the center bay] is located in each of the three bays and a panel of decorative brick work accents the center bay above the window. The two wooden contenmporary storefronts on the lower story of the facade feature a common recessed entrance with a pair of doors in the center that are flanked by plate glass windows. This Classical influenced vernacular brick building has been altered by the addition of smaller replacement windows and wood panels in the window openings. Originally designed to house a single comemrcial space, this building was divided into two store spaces in the 1920s. A contemporary storefront added in 1966 has altered the historic architectural character of the building. This brick commercial building was constructed in 1911 by E.J. Kowitz, who purchased the then vacant lot from the Hill Estate in 1910. The building was used originally the house Kowitz's business, the Sparta Bottling Works. The Kowitz Building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for archietctural significance because of a lack of integrity. However, this building has sufficient architectural character to contribute to the proposed historic district. Examples of the commercial vernacular building form in the district with more integrity are located at 111 East Oak (MP35/22), 113-115 East Oak (M)35/21), 211 South Water (MP36/35), and 138 North Water (MP35/34). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (B) City of Sparta, WI, Community Development Office, Building Permit File. (C) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1905-1919. (D) R.L. Polk, Wisconsin State Gazetteer (Chicago: Polk and Co., 1915), p. 1048. (E) Monroe County History Room, RT. 2, Sparta, Photograph Collection, Photograph #16. (F) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940. (G) City Directory of the City of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |