| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
Another map code for this building is DO 1/26, found on the DOT Watertown map.
This two story school building display elements characteristic of the vernacular and Romanesque Revival styles. The structure was built with a rectangular shaped plan configuration, an elevated brick foundation, a cream brick exterior, a brick and wood trim and a shingled, steeply pitched hip roof. Dentil trim appears under the overhanging eaves. The long rectangular windows are distinguished by multi-paned sashes, round arches and raised brick moulded lintels. A large paneled and corbelled brick chimney is in the center of the hipped roof, and a stone basement course distinguishes the lower level. The former school structure is in good condition.
The historic Union School #3, built in 1871, has been altered by several additions. A two and one half story cream brick addition east of the main structure has a recessed entrance and arched windows on the upper story. A more recent cream brick addition located east of the above addition has rectangular windows with overlights.
The Union School #3, later known as the Douglas School, is associated with the development of the Union Public School System in Watertown from 1871 to c. 1959, during which time it served as an elementary school. (See Bib. Ref. B).
Architectural/Engineering Significance:
Union School #3 is significant under criterion C as an example of the 19th century vernacular interpretation of the Romanesque Revival in a public building. The oldest example of school architecture extant in Watertown and one of a very few civic or public 19th century buildings remaining in the city, the Union School has retained the round arched windows and window shashes associated with the Romanesque style as well as the simple brick shape, surfaces and window ornament typical of vernacular buildings. The Union School and St. Bernard's Catholic School at 111 South Montgomery (DO 54/6) are the only substantial 19th century school buildings remaining in Watertown.
Showing similar stylistic characteristics, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College at 745 West Main (DO 58/17) also is a significant example of a type of 19th century school or institutional architecture.
Historical Background:
The Union School #3 or Douglas School, as it was later called, is the only historic union school building extant in Watertown aside from the old section of the high school.
Watertown established its first school system in 1844 and small schools were established in the city's wards. These schools were poorly attended, poorly equipped and had little public support. In 1856, Watertown took a step to improve Union School System of four graded schools. The schools were slow in coming, however. Union School #1 was built in 1863, #2 in 1867, #3 in 1871, and #4 in 1883. These schools were the foundation for the modern-day school system in Watertown. Eventually, Union School #1 became Watertown High School, and the other three schools were elementary schools named Webster, Douglas, and Lincoln. Lincoln School was rebuilt after the turn of the century, then burned in the 1940s and was rebuilt again. Webster school was abandoned in 1952 and demolished in 1957. Tho old Watertown High School was abandoned for the new high school building in 1917, used for the armory and city recreation building, then demolished. Douglas school, built in 1871, was used as an elementary school until around 1959 when a new facility was built elsewhere. The school building has been used for several purposes since then, and currently, its fate is uncertain. (See Bib. Ref. B).
Historical Significance:
The Union School #3 , after Douglas School, is significant under National Register Criterion A because it is associated with the development of public school system in Watertown.
The formation of the union school system in Watertown is a progressive step for the community at the time. The old ward schools were inadequate and provided outmoded education. The union schools, when they were all built after 1883, provided a consistent, graded education, including a high school program. These union schools were the foundation of the modern-day school district in Watertown and served the community through much of the twentieth century.
This school, although it has lost some integrity, is the only historic resource left in the community from the old union school system. It also was the school that was used the longest for primary school pupils. It is remarkable that it, too, did not fall to the wrecking ball when it was abandoned as a school, and at present, its fate is shakey. But its significance in the history of public school education in Watertown is large and it meets the eligibility criteria for the National Register and it is hoped it will be preserved. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of construction source: Inscription.
B. John H. Ott, Ed., Jefferson County Wisconsin and its People, Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1917, p. 115; C. W. Butterfield, The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879, pp. 407-408; Douglas School newspaper subject file, Watertown Public Library.
C. WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES 5/6/1995. |
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