| Additional Information: | Overhanging gables with shingle decorated ends; two-story front bay window with large plateglass window typped by a decorative oberlight on the lower story; two-story enclosed front porch; brick wall chimney.
The R.S. Dodge House was constructed 1890-1895. R.S. Dodge was an imporant owner of the Dodge and Dabis Department Store. In 1872, G.T. Dodge, Rufus S. Dodge, and H.K. Dodge started the Dodge Brothers Department Store, which became one of Sparta's premier businesses. In 1872, they employed seven people, the largest employed by any mercantile company in Sparta. This business started under the management of G.T. and H.K. Dodge. In 1879, G.T. retired and H.K. Dodge died. From that time on, Rufus S. Dodge conducted the business. In 1891, Hal Davis was made a junior partner. By 1898, the business at 100 S. Water Street was called the Dodge and Davis department store. The store was divided into various departments, such as dress goods, silks, notions, cloaks, clothing, gent's furnishings, carpets, curtains, draperies and many others. The Dodge and Davis Department store operated well into the twentieth century, and Rufus Dodge was associated with it until 1904, when he died.
The R.S. Dodge house gains local historical significance under Criterion C in association with the productive life of Rufus S. Dodge. He was an early Sparta businessman associated with a very prominent department store in Sparta which operated during the years of histroical significance of his dwelling from its construction in 1890-1895 to 1904, when he died. R.S. Dodge this gains importance ins association with the General Merchandies, Dry Goods and Furniture Stores topic under the Commerce Theme.
This Queen Anne house exibits the irregularity of form, texture, and plan typical of the Queen Anne style. It has been altered greatly by the addition of enclosed porches at the front of the house. The historic Dodge house does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity, however, it retained sufficient integrity to meet the NRHP criteria for historical significance. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) City of Sparta, Tax Records, 1870-1930.
(B) Sanborn Insurance Map, City of Sparta, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931.
(C) Sparta Herald March 6, 1894.
(D) "History of Sparta," installment 31.
(E) Koehler, Lyle., From Frontier Settlement to Self-Conscious American Community: a History of One Rural Village (Sparta, Wiscnosin) in the Nineteenth Century. Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, Inc., 1977, p. 29 and 43.
(F) Monroe County Democrat, "Sparta-Up-To-Date," June 30, 1899:32-36. |
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