Property Record
120 S WASHINGTON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Daniel Jones House |
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| Reference Number: | 79377 |
| Location (Address): | 120 S WASHINGTON ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1860 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
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| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 1998 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Demolished for a Walgreen's parking lot. Extensively altered by the addition of modern siding and the removal of all architectural details. This was the home of Daniel Jones between around 1866 and 1900. Daniel Jones was a native of New Hampshire who came to Watertown in 1845. He operated a store in town and branched out into financial services in 1852. These financial services eventually became the pioneer Jefferson County Bank. The bank was short-lived, though, and it suspended business in 1862. Jones then joined his financial forces with a new bank, the Wisconsin National Bank, which had its beginnings in the Bank of Wisconsin, founded in 1858 by William Dennis. The Bank of Wisconsin was reorganized into the Wisconsin National Bank in 1865 when Jones joined it. The Wisconsin National Bank is still in operation today under the name of Wisconsin First National bank, part of the Valley Banks chain. Jones was also affiliated with the woolen mill at Watertown, and also invested in the Watertown Plank Road and the railroads. He was an alderman and chairman of the Board of Supervisors as well. This building has signficance for local history under National register criterion B, it was the home of Daniel Jones during much of his important career in Watertown. Daniel Jones was one of the important pioneer financiers in Watertown. His business dealings helped establish the Wisconsin National bank, an important bank that still operates in the community today. Jones also had ties to the commercial business community, operating a pioneer store and investing in the woolen mill and railroads. While the original building of the Wisconsin National Bank still exists at 116 W. Main St., the place is still significant because it was his long-time home where no doubt, he entertained many business clients and also conducted business. The Daniel Jones house does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural and historical signifcance because of a lack of integrity. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. (B) "Eight Business Firms Have Been in Operation in City for Over 100 Years," Watertown Daily Tomes Centennial Issue, June 26, 1954, n.p. (C) C.W. Butterfield, History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1879, p. 430-431, 611. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |