Property Record
217 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | MRS. PATRICK DUFFY BUILDING |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | SALICK JEWELERS |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 73311 |
| Location (Address): | 217 E MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1871 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 200520201986 |
| Historic Use: | 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: | Main Street Commercial Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 6/2/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. Previously surveyed in 1986. This building began in the 1870s as the Duffy store. By 1880 it was a clothing store which eventually became the Schiffler and Quentmeyer and later Schiffler and Wegemann clothing store. From about 1907 to at least 1930, it was the Wegemann-Faber-Kaercher Company clothing store. In 1943 the historic Salick Jewelers moved to this location and have been here ever since. This building has some historical interest as the location of several businesses. Particularly, it is the modern-day home of the historic Salick Jewelers. Salick's original building still stands at present, so none of the businesses in this building are individually historically significant. But they contribute to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial Historic District. Salick Jewelry Store at 1 E. Main was demolished in September of 1987. Featuring an elaborate cut brick, dentil trimemd raised cornice with cross-shape design in the drip molding that runs along the top of the facade and along the east elevation, this two-story brick building was constructed for Mrs. Patrick Duffy in 1871 as her combination residence and grocery store. Segmental arched windows with brick voussoirs on the three-bay facade and plain rectangular windows with flat lintels on the east facade further characterize the building. The storefront on Third Street as well as the storefront on Main Street were remodelled in 1986 in a manner in keeping with the historic character of the building. A central recessed entrance and window aprons characterize the newly remodeled Main Street storefront. The Mrs. Duffy buliding is significant under criterion C as an example of commercial vernacular architecture. Well preserved and recently rehabilitated, the Duffy building is ornamented principally by an elaborate raised brick cornice. Other good examples of the rather utilitarian 19th century vernacular brick commercial building ornamented mainly by a raised brick cornice is the earlier 1850s J.W. Cole building at 201-205 E. Main (65-9) and the 1850s Maldaner and Peterson building at 200 E. Main (65-10). Built in 1871 for Mrs. Patrick Duffy and her son as their residence and grocery store, this small comemrcial building received a new storefront that is in keeping with the architectural character of the building, for the most part, in 1986. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Henry Colonies, "Pioneer Memoirs of Early Watertown," Report, Watertown Daily Times Oct. 16, 1986. (C) Watertown Democrat April 6, 1871. (D) Watertown Times Sept. 25, 1986. (E) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |