Property Record
213 S WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | J.C. Frazer Building |
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| Other Name: | Sportsmans Bar |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 28038 |
| Location (Address): | 213 S WATER ST |
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| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
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| Year Built: | 1912 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| 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 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The present building was erected at this location in 1912. This building originally housed an unknown paint and hardware store. This site was originally part of the E. Thorbus and Son agricultural implement business and later the Davis and Jones implement business until circa 1900-1911, when an agricultural implement building located here was either destroyed or razed. By 1911, this space was an empty lot. Because little historical data is currently associated with the J.C. Frazer building, its role in the development of Sparta remains unclear. It is therefore currently historically insignificant under Criteria A. This Classical Revival influenced two-story vernacular brick building is characterized by a brick stylized triangular pediment projecting above the roof line that is further characterized by raised brick moulding. Three plain rectangular windows on the upper story are enframed by a plain masonry cornice that rest on double row of vertical brick mouldings, which are accented at the top [directly below the cornice] by stylized masonry shields and at the bottom by corbel stops. The windows feature the original vertically divided multiple lights in the upper sash and metal windows in the lower sash. The lower story displays a contemporary storefront filled in with vertical wood paneling. The storefront has a central recessed entrance and small windows as well as an entrance to the upper story featuring a large transom window on the north end. This small commercial building has been altered by the addition of metal windows on the upper story and by the addition of a filled-in contemporary storefront on the lower story. The brick work at the top of the building has been replaced and repaired. Built on a previously vacant lot in 1912, this building was constructed as rental property for J.E. Frazer. Used originally as an auto garage and machine shop, this building was also known as the Hoffman-Neimer Hardware Store beginning in the 1920s. The Fraser Building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. However, this building has sufficient architectural character to contribute to the historic district. Examples of the commercial vernacular building form in the district with more integrity are located at 111 East Oak (MO35/22), 113-115 East Oak (MP35/21), 211 South Water (MP36/35), and 138 North Water (MP35/34). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) City of Sparta, WI, Tax Records, 1905-1919. (B) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (C) Monroe County History, Rt. 2, Sparta, Photograph Collection, Photographs #16, #100. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |