Property Record
413 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Charles Goette Building |
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| Other Name: | Far Horizons Import Gift Shop |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 76320 |
| Location (Address): | 413 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1878 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| 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 |
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| Additional Information: | This building, constructed for Charles Goette in 1878, was part of his grocery store with the building next door. It became a saloon briefly, and in 1907 it was the Millie Rollie millinery shop. It was this business until at least 1930. This location has some historical interest as the location of several retail businesses. None are individually historically significant, but they contribute to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial Historic District. Built in 1878 for Charles Goette adjacent to his earlier grocery store at 411 East Main, the two story, three-bay, cream brick Goette building is dominated by a wide Italianate projecting bracketed cornice with a panelled frieze. More elaborate than his earlier building, this Goette building is further characterized by three recessed panels on the facade that are decorated by a row of dentils along the top edge and centain round arched stone window hoods accented by articulated keystones. The stone keystones are inscribed wit h the year "1878" and the initials "C.G." Topped by a frosted glass transom window, the storefront has a recessed entrance, and an entrance door to the upper story flanked brick piers. Round arched window frames remain in the structure on the second story. A cream brick addition is located at the rear. The Goette buliding's appearance has been altered by the application of paint to the surface of the facade. The Charles Goette building is significant under criterion C as an example of commercial Italianate architecture. One of five examples of the Italianate influence in the proposed Main Street Comemrcial Historic District, the Goette building exhibits the prerequisite projecting cornice as well as round arched articulated window hoods associated with the Italianate style. Other good examples of Italianate style in the proposed Main Street Historic District include the Misegades Wagon Works at 202 No. Water (63-4), the buildings at 116-118 W. Main (72-22), 107-109 E. Main (65-15) and 103-105 E. Main (72-6). The Goette building is among the best preserved of the small two-story, three-bay commercial buildings remaining in the proposed district. Other good examples of the small Italianate retail building include those at 113 South 3rd (74-7) and 603 E. Main (64-8). Built in 1878 for Charles Goette who had a grocery store in the adjacent building on the west side, this building has been well-preserved, showing little alteration except for the storefront, which has been remodelled somewhat. |
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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) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |