Property Record
128 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | L.J. Youngmann Meat Market |
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| Other Name: | Sears Catalog |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 27998 |
| Location (Address): | 128 N WATER ST |
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| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
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| Year Built: | 1905 |
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| Additions: | 1946 |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| 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 |
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| Additional Information: | The present building was constructed in 1905 by J. Youngmann, and thereafter it was known as the L.J. Youngmann Brothers' meats and sausage factory. The Youngmann Brothers began their business sometime before 1897. From 1897 to 1904, the Youngmann Brothers were located on North Water Street. In 1905, the Youngmann Brothers had made enough money in the butcher business to construct their own business here at 128 North Water Street. The Youngmann butcher shop was located here from 1905 to at least 1931. The L.J. Youngmann Building gains local significance under Criterion A in association with the topic of Meat Products Industry under Sparta's Industry Theme. The meatpacking business contributed substantially to Sparta's economy over a long period of time in the form of meatpacking plants and butcher shops. The Youngman Brothers were one of several important butcher shops in Sparta at the turn of the century. The building's period of significance ranges from its erection in 1905 to ca. 1931. The Youngmann Meat Market is a commercial vernacular brick building characterized by full length, brick applied pilasters topped by capitals decorated with cresting. Short applied pilasters at the top of the center bay flank a rectangular pediment rising slightly above the roof line, which is inscribed with the construction date and owner's name, "1907" and "L.J. Youngmann." Short windows on the upper facade ornamented with scalloped, flat, stone window heads and stone sills that light the half-story attic and a string course of brick work located directly below the windows further characterize this small commercial building. Presently, this building has a contemporary metal and glass storefront topped by a transom of vertical wood siding with a recessed off-set entrance placed between the brick end pilasters on the lower story of the facade. Although continuing to exhibit much of its historic character, the original architectural character has been altered by the addition of replacement windows and by the replacement of the original iron storefront with a contemporary styled storefront. A concrete block addition was constructed at the rear in 1946 and siding was added to the lower story in 1981. This commercial building, constructed in 1905 as a one-story meat market and sausage factory for Louis Youngmann, was built to replace the earlier frame building occupied by the Youngmann firm, which operated in the 19th century as the Youngmann Brothers Meat Market. This building continued to house the Youngmann Meat Market until at least the 1930s. The earlier frame building was moved to rear of the lot where it was used as a "killing house." The Youngmann Meat Market is a vernacular building displaying minimal Classical Revival influence exhibiting a fair degree of integrity and some architectural interest. However, this building does not meet the criteria of NRHP for architectural significance because it has less integrity than other examples of the vernacular commercial building. This building has sufficient historic architectural character to contribute to the Water Street Historic District. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) City of Sparta, Community Development Office, Building Permit File. (B) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1870-1930. (C) Sanborn Insurance Map 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (D) Sparta Herald Sept 26, 1905. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |