Property Record
615 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | A. Kramp Company Building |
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| Other Name: | Kramp Co. Jeep, Renault Sales & Service |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 76733 |
| Location (Address): | 615 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1920 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | large retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Twentieth Century Commercial |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| 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 was constructed for the A. Kramp Co., an agricultural implement dealership that was a direct descendent of the August Kramp wagon-making shop, near this location. Later it was transformed into the car dealership it is today. This building reflects the Kramp family's transition between a nineteenth century wagon-making business into a related business more in tune with the twentieth century. This building individually historically significant because it is not part of the Kramp wagon works, but it does contribute to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Historic District. Built in the 1920s by the sons of August Kramp, a pioneer blacksmith and wagon maker who died at the turn of the century, the A. Kramp building is a dark brown brick garage featuring arched construction. Influenced by the early modern architectural style, the Kramp building is characterized by a triangular pediment rising above the roof line that is ornamented by a triangular brick pattern in the center of the facade, which encompasses the inscription "A. Kramp Co." on a white plaque. White concrete coping and inlaid concrete accents further decorate the facade. Featuring a central multipaned service door topped by a transom window, the storefront also exhibits brick piers and large plate glass windows. Skylights are located on the arched roof. Two cream brick buildings with service doors at the rear and on the east side are located at the rear. Arched multipaned windows characterized the east rear elevation. The A. Kramp Co. garage 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 garage structures in the city, the Kramp Co. building is characterized mainly by decorative brick and tile patterns inset in the flat brick surface. The triangular pediment shaped facade suggests a transition from historic Neo-classical antecedents. Other good examples of early 20th century contemporary or early modern architecture in the historic district are the buildings at 216 E. Main (63-25) and 13 E. Main (65-17). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sanborn-Perris Insurance Map, City of Watertown, 1915, 1926. (B) C. Hugo Jacobi, "Reminiscences of Early Days in Watertown," Watertown Daily Times, 1924. (C) Watertown Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |