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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 114 E MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson |
| City/Village | Watertown |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1881 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1986,2020 |
| Historic Use | small retail building |
| Architectural Style | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
This building was constructed by Edmund Sweeney, who developed many properties in Watertown's downtown. It was constructed for his store around 1881. Later it became a shoe store and a dry goods store. In 1909 it became the Majestic Theatre, one of Watertown's pioneer movie theatres. It remained in operation until about 1930, being of only two theatres to survive the 1920s. However, after 1930 it again became a retail business. This building has some historical interest as the location of several retail businesses and as the location of the Majestic Theatre, an early movie theatre has some additional interest because of the history of movies; however, the building has been significantly remodeled, and there is no evidence today that a movie theatre was ever there. Therefore, this building only contributes, albeit marginally due to the loss of integrity, to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial Historic District. Built as a general store notable for its stock of tea c. 1881 for the Irishman Edward Sweeney, who came to Watertown in 1848, the small three-bay Sweeney building is constructed exhibited a projecting Italianate cornice. Presently the facade has been altered completely by the application of a modern vertical siding and the windows replaced. Also the storefront has been altered by the addition of a contmeporary styled front. The original cream brick walls are evident at the rear of the building. The Edmund Sweeney building has suffered extensive and unsympathetic alterations of its architectural character. Because of the extensive alteration of hist historic character, this building does not contribute to the proposed MainStreet Historic District. |
| Bibliographic References | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) C. Hugo Jacobi, "Reminiscences of Early Days in Watertown," Watertown Daily Times March 13, 1924. (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 | No |
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