Property Record
218 S 1ST ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Steam Laundry Works; Archie Brothers Monument Works |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Dave's Custom Upholstery; Brant Law Office |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 73312 |
| Location (Address): | 218 S 1ST ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1920 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Concrete |
| 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: | This building was constructed around 1920 for Archie Brothers Monuments. They were in this building until at least 1930. This building has some historical interest as the location of a stone monument company. The business is not individually historically significant but contributes to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial Historica District. Used as a Steam Laundry Works in the early 20th century, this building was remodeled to its present Neo-Classical appearance by the Archie Brothers Monument Company in the early 1920s. Originally a cream brick structure, the Monument Works exhibits a red brick facade that is articulated by an entablature comprised of concrete battlements and parapet placed on the plain projecting cornice and frieze. The entablature is supported in the center by fluted Ionic columns placed on granite bases and concrete end piers placed between the columns and piers. The three-bay storefront has an entrance door with transom window and sidelights, a store window with transom and double leafed servcie doors with a transom window. A gable roofed one-story addition at the rear has been remodeled as a small office building. The Archie Brothers Monument Works building is important as an example of an early 20th century building influenced by the Neo-Classical style. ALthough not designed totally as a Neo-Classical buildingm the facade of this vernacular building exhibits Neo-Classical stylistic elements including an entablature with projecting cornice and fluted Ionic columns. The Archie Brothers Monument Works buliding remodeled and enlarged to its present appearance in the 1920s is one of the few examples of the Neo-Classical influence in Watertown. Others include the Watertwon Library at 100 S. Water (65-23), the Bank of Watertown, 14 E. Main St. (72-24) and the King House at 802 S. 8th (38-11). |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1930, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Sanborn-Perris Map, City of Watertown, 1909, 1915, 1926. (C) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, on file at the Watertown Public Library, Watertown, Wisconsin. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |