Property Record
308/310 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Classic Theater |
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| Other Name: | Towne Movie Theatre; Fox Music Shop |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 76458 |
| Location (Address): | 308/310 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1913 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | theater |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream 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: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. This building was the location of the old Classic Theatre between c. 1915 and at least 1930. The Classic was one of the several movie theatres developed in Watertown during the early years of the movie's popularity in the United States. The Classic was also one of the largest of the theatres and may have been Watertown's "movie palace" of the 1920s. However, it has been largely altered today and is now called the Town Theatre. In its original condition this building may have had significance as one of Watertown's largest and most significant movie theatres. However, due to the loss of integrity, it no longer represents the historic movie theatre era in Watertown. Using the remains of two older cream brick buildings on the site owned by Peter Seibel in the 19th century, the Classic Theatre was built in the 1920s by W.H. Norton. Ornamented only by a raised brick panel on the upper facade, the theatre is characterized further by plain second story rectangular windows asymmetrically placed. The movie marquee extends across the entire front, the ticket booth and entrance are located in the west end of the building and a storefront featuring a recessed entrance and plate glass windows is located on the east side of the facade. The original cream brick construction is evidence at the rear. A large beige brick auditorium is attached to the rear of the two earlier buildings. The Classic Theatre is a commercial vernacular theater building influenced by the 20th century contemporary-early modern style characterized mainly by decorative brick and tile patterns inset in the flat brick surfaces. Although this building is not architecturally significant, the Classic Theater contributes to the historic character of the Main Street District. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sanborn Perris Insurance Maps 1884, 1890, 1926. (B) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (C) C. Hugo Jacobi, "Reminiscences of Early Days in Watertown," Watertown Daily Times Feb. 13, 1924. (D) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. Watertown Daily Times 11/28/1981. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |