click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 9 E MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson |
| City/Village | Watertown |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1879 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1986,2020 |
| Historic Use | small retail building |
| Architectural Style | Italianate |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
This building was built around 1879 for Ed Nixon, who operated a confectionary here until around 1890. Later, this building was the location of the American, U.S., and Wells Fargo Express Office (c. 1890-c. 1915). Between c. 1921 and 1930, the building was a cigar shop. This building has some historical interest as the location of several commercial businesses. While none of the businesses are historically significant individually, they contribute to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial Historic District. Exhibiting a broad, metal projecting Italianate cornice characterized by brackets, end console and a paneled frieze, the Ed Nixon Confectionary Store is a two-story, three and a half bay building constructed around 1878 of cream brick. Recessed shoulder arched bays with shoulder arched windows accented by raised shoulder arched window heads decorated with articulated keystones remain on the building. The application of paint to the brick surface and replacement of the windows with metal frame and vertical siding have altered the historic appearance of the building. Although a small projecting cornice extending across the top of the storefront and the brick end piers remain, the rest of the storefront has been completely altered. The James Chappel building is a commercial vernacular building exhibiting no particular historic ornament. Although this building is not architecturally significant, the Chappel building contributes to the historic architectural character of the proposed Main Street Commercial Historic District. |
| Bibliographic References | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Watertown Harger Times May 11, 1878. (C) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Main Street Commercial Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Jun 02, 1989 |
| State Register Listing Date | |
| Contributing | Yes |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.


