Property Record
13 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Edward Johnson Building; Wiggenhorn Jewelry |
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| Other Name: | State Farm Insurance |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 76215 |
| Location (Address): | 13 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1867 |
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| Additions: | C. 1930 |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| 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 |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/2/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This was the long-time location of the August Wiggenhorn and Son Jewelry store in Watertown. August Wiggenhorn was a native of Prussia and came to Watertown in 1848. He began his jewelry store in 1861, and with his children, carried out the business well into the twentieth century. This building has significance for local history under criterion A because it was the long-time location of the Wiggenhorn and Son Jewelry Store. Watertown had several stores in the community that operated for a long period of time. Probably the three most significant were Salicks, W.D. Sproesser, and Wiggenhorn. Because this was the historic location of the Wiggenhorn business, this building is individually significant for local commercial history. The building is also significant for the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial historic district, because it housed a long-term retail business. Originally a cream brick building constructed for Edward Johnson in the 1860s, the building was purchased before 1890 by August Wiggenhorn, who had a jewelry store in the building by the 1870s. The two-story, three-bay building was apparently remodeled and a new front in an early 20th century style was added by Wiggenhorn. Exhibiting a plain red brick front with plain rectangular windows topped by brick lintels, the store front features a full-length refractive glass transom window with the inscription "Wiggenhorn Jewelry Company" inscribed in the glass and black tile window apron. The rear and side elevations are comprised of cream brick with a pinkish tint. The molded and corbelled brick cornice and rectangular second story windows remain on the east side elevation. The Edward Johnson Building, better known historically as the Wiggenhorn Jewelry Company Store, is significant under criterion C as an example of early 20th century contemporary commercial architecture. One of the best preserved examples of early 20th century commercial architecture in the Main Street Historic District, the Wiggenhorn building is characterized mainly by decorative brick and tile patterns inset in the flat brick surfaces. Other good examples of early 20th century contemporary or early modern architecture in the historic district are the Kramp garage at 615 east Main (73-3_ and the buildings at 13 East Main (65-17) and 216 East Main (63-25). Originally constructed as a cream brick commercial vernacular building in the 1860s, the Wiggenhorn Jewelry Store's present facade and storefront featuring a refractive glass transom were constructed in the early 20th century. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Building Inscription. (C) Mr. Charles Wallman, interview with Joan Rausch, July 9, 1987. (D) C.W. Butterfield, The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879, p. 630. (E) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |