Property Record
823 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Karlsruhe / ROBERT KEEL SALOON |
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| Other Name: | SHARP CORNER INN |
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| Reference Number: | 63456 |
| Location (Address): | 823 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1900 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | tavern/bar |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| 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. This building was the Robert S. Keel saloon between c. 1900 and c. 1919. Initial research indicates that none of the businesses in this building was individually historically significant and the building does not meet the criteria for the National Register. This cream brick building presently used for commercial purposes exhibits an octagonal corner turret covered by a shingled tent roof that originally was placed over an open corner entrance (now enclosed). Arched windows with brick voussoirs on the lower story, rectangular windows on the upper story and shingled cross gables or roof dormers with "stick style" gable ornaments further characterize this hipped roofed building. This building is significant under criterion C as one of the three elaborate of the Queen Anne influenced commercial buildings remaining in the city, although it is not particularly well preserved. The other two most elaborate and best preserved examples of the Queen Anne style were the Christ Staats Saloon at 201 So. 3rd (73-10) and the Bittner Saloon and Residence at 501 North 4th St. (49/3). 2023: The building was originally known as Karlsruhe. It has replacement windows. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Watertown Daily Times 6/20/1996. (B) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. “Opening of the Karlsruhe,” The Watertown News, September 19, 1894. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |