Property Record
316 N WASHINGTON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Sproesser-Henry House; J. Weber |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 79373 |
| Location (Address): | 316 N WASHINGTON ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1910 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862004 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Bungalow |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stucco |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | North Washington Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/23/2009 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 4/17/2009 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | This was the home of Ira L. Henry, who brought his box factory to Watertown, between 1900 and 1920. The Henry Company began in Waupun as a factory to make boxes for the shoes being produced in the State Prison. After operating in Waupun between 1888 and 1900, Henry moved the company to Watertown. The company specialized in making small gift boxes, candy boxes and other small boxes. Henry died in 1920, but his plant continued on well into the twentieth century. The factory burned in 1945, but was rebuilt on the same location. Today the company still makes paper boxes, primarily for educational displays. This house is significant for local history under National Register criterion B because it is associated with Ira L. Henry, an important small industrialist in the community. The Henry company has been an important small industry in Watertown ever since it came to the community in 1900. Manufacturing paper boxes, the company has maintained a successful operation in Watertown, providing a specialized product for various commercial uses. One indication of the company's success is that it still exists in uncertain economic times of the late twentieth century. Because of Ira Henry's contribution to the development of Watertown, he is a significant person. This house, his only home in Watertown during his years there, is significant because of its association with him. It has added significance because the original factory of the Henry company burned, therefore, this house is the only historic resource associated with Henry himself. Originally a square two story frame house owned by J. Weber with hand hewn beams and rafters, covered by wood siding, this house was remodeled extensively, probably at the turn of the century. In this remodeling project, the gable roof line was altered. The exterior was covered with rough cast stucco, new large windows with leaded and beveled glass panels were installed, and a large front porch and a kitchen were added. Many Arts and Crafts and Craftsman features such as a stone fireplace and wood paneling was added to the interior at the same time Sproesser sold the house to Ira Henry, the owner of the Box Factory, in 1900. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Matthew D. Smith, Watertown, Correspondence with Joan Rausch, dated June 17, 1987. (B) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. (C) Evelyn Ruddick Rose, "Ira L. Henry Company Has Long History,: in her column "People and Places from Watertown's Past," Watertown Daily Times, October 17, 1981. “Architecture/History Survey: Reconstruct STH 26 (Church St.): STH 19 To Union Pacific RR.” WHS project number 04-0759/DO/JE. February 2004. Prepared by Carol Cartwright. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |