Property Record
108-110 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | C.E. Rich Building |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Ben Franklin Store |
| Contributing: | No |
| Reference Number: | 27979 |
| Location (Address): | 108-110 N WATER ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1902 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | 1944 1958 |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Water Street Commercial Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 11/12/1992 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/3/1992 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | In 1904, the present building was erected at this location. The property was owned by C.E. Rich, who in an earlier building at this location had a music store. Its original use was for retail shops in one floor. In 1911, an unknown jeweler and millinery shop occupied the first floor. In 1916, the F.A. Young Shoe store was located here. On the second floor of the building, the Richardson Brothers photography studio was located there from 1904 to 1916. The Richardson Brothers had moved from their earlier location on Oak Street. Since 1922, a variety of retail stores have been located in this building. The C.E. Rich Building possess potential historical significance as a central business type within Sparta at the turn of the century. However, the lack of architectural integrity inhibits association with the building's period of significance (from 1904 to 1916); it does not meet criterion A of the National Register of Historic Places. This rectangular brick and concrete block [rear wall and part of the north elevation] commercial building, comprised of a two-story and a one-story section, is characterized by a cream brick front, plain rectangular windows with six over six lights, and a contemporary styled double storefront. This double store building, constructed for C.E. Rich in two sections a year apart, was originally a red brick and brick veneer commercial building characterized by paneled brick fronts, flat stone lintels [on south section] and iron storefronts. Damaged substantially by the flood occurring in 1943 and by an explosion in the basement a year later in May of 1944, this building was reconstructed at the rear and on the south side with concrete block and the iron storefronts were removed. At this time, a concrete block addition was also added to the north section of the building located along the bank of Beaver Creek, and a new cream brick facade was added to the building. In the reconstruction after the flood, the space of the building at 108 N. Water was joined with the space of the adjacent building at 110 N. Water and the new front common to both buildings was constructed. The 1944 concrete block addition was extended in 1958. This commercial block was built as rental property for C.E. Rich, who operated a stationary store in the adjacent building at 106 S. Water. Constructed on the site of the 1888 Conover Building demolished by the flood of Beaver Creek in 1899, the Rich Commercial block was built partially in 1902 [south two-story section] and partially in 1903 [north one-story section]. Although presently one large open store space, it originally housed two separate stores. The Rich building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. Also, it does not contribute to the Water Street Commercial District because the facade is less than 50 years of age. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1870-1930. (B) City of Sparta, Community Development Office, Photograph File. (C) "1943 Flood" Photographs. (D) Sparta Herald. May 31, 1943; Aug. 30, 1943; May 22, 1944; July 24, 1944. (E) City of Sparta, Community Development Office, Building Permit File. (F) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (G) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940. (H) Sparta City Directory 1903-1904. Sparta: R.C. Glover, Publisher, 1904. (I) 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 |