Property Record
114 S WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | L.D. Merrill Jewelry Store |
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| Other Name: | Jamesson Office Supply/Hometown Printing |
| Contributing: | No |
| Reference Number: | 28022 |
| Location (Address): | 114 S WATER ST |
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| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
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| Year Built: | 1897 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| 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 L.D. Merrill Jewelry Store established itself at this address as early as 1875, but operated in an earlier building than the one that stands there today. That building was either destroyed or razed in 1897. In 1897, L.D. Merrill had the present-day structure built which he continued to use as his jewelry store until circa 1911. In 1911, the Citizen's State Bank was located here which circa 1920-1925 turned into the Farmer's National Bank. From 1916 to at least 1931, this building was used as a bank. The Farmer's National Bank was probably here until 1969, when the Farmers National Bank merged with Monroe County Cank to become the Union Natonal Bank and Trust Co. The L.D. Merrill Jewelry Store building gains local historical significance under Criterion A as an example of the general mercantile businesses common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As indicated within the Commercial Theme, these enterprises (hardware stores, jewelry stores, etc,.) played a central role in the growth and stability of the community's business. The period of historical significance for this building extends from 1897 to perhaps as late as 1916. In addition, the building gains local historical significance under criterion A in association with Sparta's banking topic under Sparta's Commercial Theme. The period of historical significance for this building extends from 1916 to after World War II. This two-story, three-bay brick commercial building features a metal front with a small band of half-windows on the second story of the facade. A contemporary metal and glass storefront with an off-set entrance with a transom window and a sidelight on the south bay and an entrance door to the upper story on the north bay is located on the lower story of the facade. This small commercial building, originally exhibiting a vernacular brick form characterized by a corbeled brick cornice with a small pediment and white stone lintels, has been altered completely by the addition of the metal front. In addition, it has been altered by the replacement of its historic storefront with contemporary storefront. Constructed in 1897, this small commercial block, 70 ft. x 26 ft., was built for L.D. Merrill. It was built at the same time as the adjacent Millegan building at 116 South Water (MP35/3). Merrill also acted as his own construction contractor. Originally used to house Merrill's jewelry store, this brick block replaced a frame building previously on the site, which had served as Merrill's jewelry store since around 1880. Merrill rented office space on the second floor of his new brick block to Drs. Millegan and Williams. The Merrill Jewelry Store does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. Also, because its historic character has been eliminated by the application of siding to the facade, it does not contribute to the Water Street Commercial Historic District. In 2004 a hand-painted sign, which was drafted by Norbert Brown of Sparta, was approved by the Sparta Historic Preservation Commission. The proposed sign measured 16in in length and two feet at its highest point. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Monroe County History Room, Sparta, WI, photograph collection, photograph #380. (B) Sparta Herald May 18, 1897; Oct. 12, 1897; Jan. 18, 1898. (C) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1868-1930. (D) Sanborn Insurance Map 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (E) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940. (F) Map of Sparta, Wisconsin. Milwaukee: Phoenix Map Company of Milwaukee, 1875. (G) French, Bella, History of Sparta, Wisconsin." The American Sketchbook. La Crosse: Sketch Book Company, Publishers, 1875, p. 70-74. (H) Annual Directory of Sparta, WI. Vol. 1. Chicago: Interstate Directory Co., 1897. (I) Sparta City Directory, 1903-1904. Sparta: R.C. Glover, Publisher, 1904. (J) City Directory of the City of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916. (K) Sparta Centennial Celebration Committee, Sparta Incorporation City Centennial: 1883-1983 (1983), unpublished pamphlet, p. 35. (L) Richards, Randolph A. History of Monroe County, Wisconsin: Past and Present, Including an Account of the Cities, Towns and Villages of the County. Chicago: C.F. Cooper & Co., 1912, pp. 301-304. (M) Gregory, John G., West Central Wisconsin: A History. Vol. 3, Indianapolis: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1933, pp. 77-78, and 109. SPARTA-MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRAT 2/5/2004. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |