Property Record
216 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | E.W. Cole Building |
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| Other Name: | Wisconsin Electric; Wisconsin Gas Co. |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 76401 |
| Location (Address): | 216 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1862 |
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| Additions: | C. 1920 |
| Survey Date: | 20052020 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| 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 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Previously surveyed in 1986. This building was constructed around 1863 by E.W. Cole. The earliest information on business here begins in 1876 when it is listed as a general store. It remained a store until around 1893 when it became a saloon. It remained a saloon until prohibition. After a short time as a billiard hall, it became the Wisconsin Gas and Electric Company office which it it today. This building 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. Bulit in 1862 after fire destroyed the earlier building on this site for E.W. Cole, this small three-bay commercial building was remodeled it its present appearance in the early 20th century. Exhibiting simple red brick surfaces ornamented by decorative brick patterns with a white inset tile, the facade is further characterized by a group of four windows on the upper facade and brick end piers rising above the roof line. Featuring a corner entrance, the storefront is characterized by refractive glass transom windows above the storefront. The open corner of the storefront is supported by a brick pier. The original cream brick construction is evident at the rear of the building. The structure was brick veneered and remodeled in the 1920s. Used as a dry goods store and as a saloon in the 19th century, the cream brick building originally exhibited a paneled brick cornice and projecting window heads. The E.W. Cole building is important 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 Cole 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 E. Main St. (73-3) and the buildings at 13 E. Main (65-17) and 216 E. Main (63-25). Originally constructed as a cream brick 19th century vernacular building in 1862, the E.W. Cole building remodeled to its present appearance around 1920 has retained its historic storefront featuring a refractive glass transom window. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) C. Hugo Jacobi, "Reminiscences of Early Days in Watertown," Watertown Daily Times March 19, 1924. (C) Photograph, Folio, City of Watertown, 1887, Archives, Octagon House, Watertown Historical Society. (D) Sanborn-Perris Insurance Map, City of Watertown, 1915, 1926. (E) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |