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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 414/416 E MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson |
| City/Village | Watertown |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1880 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
414 EAST MAIN STREET: Built in the early 1880s for C.F. Zanter, this four-bay, vernacular cream brick commercial building exhibits a raised brick cornice ornamented by a row of dentils and drip moulding. Projecting triangular pediment shaped window heads ornament the upper story. The lintel across the top of the storefront is supported by large capped brick piers. Round cornered, two-part, store window, a recessed entrance flanked by fluted iron columns with decorative capitals and paneled bases and an entrance door with a transom window are additional features of the storefront. A paneled entrance door to the upper story topped by a transom window is located on the west end of the storefront. The Zanter building has been altered by the addition of metal window frames on the second floor and by the application of paint to the brick exterior. A second story open porch and one-story addition is located in the rear. Th C.F. Zanter building is a commercial vernacular building characterized by a brick cornice and Italianate triangular pediment shaped window heads. Although this building is not architecturally significant, the Zanter building contributes to the historic architectural character of the proposed Main Street Historic District. 416 EAST MAIN STREET: Built in the 1880s by H. Tank, this three-bay, vernacular cream brick, commercial building exhibits a raised brick cornice ornamented by a row of dentils and drip moulding. Projecting triangular pediment shaped wooden window heads ornament the upper story. A one-story decked rear addition and a stepped end wall is located at the rear of the building. The Tank building, bought by Herman Oestreich in 1897 to house his jewelry store, has been altere dby the addition of a contemporary style storefront. The H. Tank building is a commercial vernacular building characterized by a brick cornice and Italianate triangular pediment shaped window heads. Although this building is not architecturally significant, the Tank building contributes to the historic architectural character of the proposed Main Street Historic District. 414-416 EAST MAIN STREET: This two part building housed a number of retail businesses. At 414 E. Main was a long-time saloon business that was under several owners until prohibtion. It was then a photo store and an electrical shop. 416 E. Main St. was also a saloon, but by 1900 it was the Herman Oestreich jewelry store which it stayed until around 1915. It was then a cheese store and a soda fountain. This building is historically interesting as the location for a number of retail businesses. None were individually historically significant, but they contributed to the overall development of commerce in the Main Street Commercial Historic District. |
| Bibliographic References | (A) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. (B) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (C) Watertown Daily Times, Centennial Issue, April 13, 1897. |
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 |
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