Property Record
INTERSECTION OF ROCK RIVER AND MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Cole Memorial Bridge |
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| Other Name: | Cole Memorial Bridge |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 75463 |
| Location (Address): | INTERSECTION OF ROCK RIVER AND MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1931 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | bridge |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | Concrete Arch |
| Wall Material: | Concrete |
| Architect: | Daniel Luten |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/2/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The Cole Memorial Bridge was named for John W. Cole, out of whose estate some of the money came for the construction of this bridge. It was built in 1931 by Cunningham Brothers and designed by master bridge engineer Daniel Luten. John W. Cole was an important historic businessman who left money in his will for several civic projects. The Cole Memorial Bridge is fit snugly between the buildings of Main Street that are separated by the Rock River. It is an integral part of Main Street. The Cole Memorial Bridge has some historical interest as one of two fine concrete arch bridges in the community. It indicates the city of Watertown's commitment to improvement of its public works and infrastructure. However, the bridge is primarily significant because of its architectural-engineering significance as an advanced design by the work of a master bridge designer. Constructed of poured reinforced concrete in 1931 with funds from the J.W. Cole Estate, the Main Street bridge across the Rock River is a deck arch bridge characterized by a single arch span with the roadway carried on top of the arch. A concrete balustrade further characterizes this bridge dedicated to the memory of a prominent early resident of Watertown, John W. Cole. The J.W. Cole Memorial Bridge is significant under criterion C as an example of the concrete deck arch bridge. One of the most common small concrete bridge forms built in the early twentieth century, this well-preserved Cole bridge is constructed in the same form as the Milwaukee Street Bridge built in 1930 (73-13) across the Rock River several blocks south of the Main Street Bridge. In addition, the Cole Memorial Bridge is significant as an example of the work of the master bridge engineer, Daniel Luten. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Inscription (plaque on bridge), "Cole Memorial Bridge" and "1931." (B) Jeffrey A. Hess and Robert M. Frame, III, Historic Highway Bridges in Wisconsin Vol I, Intensive Survey Forms, Madison: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 1986, inventory forms for the Cole Memorial Bridge. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |