click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 406 E MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson |
| City/Village | Watertown |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1884 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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, State Historic Preservation Office. This building was built for John Bramer and housed his agricultural implement store between 1884 and around 1899. After this it was a hardware store, a clothing store, and between 1915 and 1921 a cleaning store. It was Stube Floral store between 1924 and at least 1930. This building has some historical interest as the location of several retail businesses. None are individually historically significant, but they contribute to the Main Street Commercial Historic District. Built in 1884 for John Bramer to house his agricultural implement store, this small three-bay building is a simple cream brick vernacular commercial building. Featuring a raised molded brick cornice decorated with rows of dentils and drip molding that is visually supported by capped brick piers, the Bramer building also features projecting segmental arched brick window heads resting on consoles placed over long, arched second story windows. Exhibiting a refractive glass transom window, the remodeled storefront has a recessed entrance. A long transom window and door to the upper story is located at the east end of the building. A segmental arched double leafed door and a second-story enclosed wooden porch characterize the rear elevation. The Bramer building has been altered by the addition of paint to the brick surfaces. The John Bramer building is significant under criterion C as an example of a commercial vernacular building influenced by the Italianate style. Among the best preserved of the commercial vernacular brick buildings in the commercial district, the Bramer building exhibits the arched eyebrow window heads and cornice of the Italianate style. Another good example of the small commercial building showing minimal Italianate influence is the similarly styled Butcher building at 404 E. Main (64-26). The Bramer building is basically identical to the two other adjacent buildings at 400 E. Main (63-31) and 402 E. Main (65-34) that have been less preserved or that have aesthetically less pleasing storefronts. Built for John Bramer in 1884 to house his implement store, this retail building has retained the historic details on the upper facade as well as the turn of the century storefront featuring a refractive glass transom window. |
| Bibliographic References | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Sanborn Insurance Map, 1884. (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.
