1301 E MAIN ST

1301 E MAIN ST

Jefferson

Watertown

1917

1936

1986

hospital/medical clinic

Neoclassical/Beaux Arts

Brick

H. J. Gaul

No

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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History.

A three-story brick block exhibiting minimal Neo-classical ornament. The original west section of St. Mary's Hospital built in 1917 has a projecting five-bay center section topped by a sculptured entablature comprised of a cornice, cross and pediment ornamented by stylized classical swags. A segmental arched entrance with arched moulding projects slightly from the center section. Plain rectangular windows with stone sills further characterize the original sections as well as the 1936 addition. Raised brick belt courses divides the building horizontally. A small addition is located at the rear.

Although fairly well preserved, St. Mary's Hospital exhibiting very litte historic ornament is not a notable example of architecture. However, this building may be significant as one of the best preserved historic examples of social architecture remaining in the city. The other two extant examples of architecture constructed for the Opera House at 117 No. 1st (64-33), Turner Hall at 301 S. 4th (45-16), and the Masonic Temple at 2 E. Main (72-25).

This building was the St. Mary's Hospital from 1918-1969, the main medical facility established in Watertown.

Around 1900 Dr. Thomas Shinnick set up a single room in a building on S. First St. (probably demolished). Shinnick received $100 from the city for equipment and this meager resource has been historically considered the first hospital in the community, althouhg its exact location and history is not completely known. A few years later, Dr. Shinnick, along with Charles Habhegger, saw the need for a larger, better facility and in 1906 or 1907 they acquired the Charles Schiffler house at this address (demolished) and converted it into a hospital under the name St. Mary's. It had an operating room, an x-ray room, and 16 beds. Dr. Shinnick left town in 1913 and sold his interest in the hospital, and in 1914, the Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Ghost, Catholic religious order, acquired the facility. In 1916, a bequest of $10,000 allowed the sisters to build the original section of the present building. It was opened in 1918. In 1937, a large addition for 37 additional beds was constructed and at this time the old house was demolished for the new construction. By the mid-twentieth century, this hospital was deemed inadequate and the sisters no longer wished to own and operate the facility. The city took over the operation of the hospital and in 1969 a new Watertown Memorial Hospital was built on the northeastern edge of town and this building was sold and converted to a retirement facility.

This building is significant for local history under criterion A because it is the only extant historic resource related to the development of a public hospital in Watertown.

The development of a public hospital is a relatively recent but significant trend for most Wisconsin communities. It signifies the changing medical practices in America during the twentieth century and the commitment many communities made toward making the best medical facilities available to the general public. Watertown's hopital development was typical of many communities. It began in a large house by two public-spirited doctors and was eventually transformed into a large institution served by a religious group. For 50 years this building served the needs of the community, until the need for a larger facility necessitated moving to a more spacious location. Because of its importance in the development of health services in Watertown and the fact that it is a largely-intact historic hospital, the old St. Mary's Hospital is an important landmark in Watertown and meets the criteria for significance in local history.

(A) Watertown, Wisconsin Centennial 1854-1954, Watertown: Jansky Printing Company, 1954, pp. 70-72. (B) "St. Mary's Hospital Began to Render Service in 1907 from Main Street Residence," Watertown Daily Times Centennial Issue, June 26, 1954, n.p. (C) Building inscription. (D) Watertown Daily Times Oct. 30, 1936.

Not Listed