Property Record
113 W OAK ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Monroe County Publishers Office |
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| Other Name: | Radio WCOW/Cable Sparta |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 27961 |
| Location (Address): | 113 W OAK ST |
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| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1930 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Tile |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Water Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/12/1992 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/3/1992 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The exact date of the erection of this building has not been fully determined. It was built sometime between 1921 and 1931. Its original occupant was a printing establishment - the Monroe County Democrat, whose editor was J.P. Rice. It is not known how long the printing establishment was at this location. The Monroe County Publishing Building possesses potential for historical significance under the topic Information Services - Publishing under the Commerce theme, but because there is incomplete historical data the building does not qualify under Criterion A of the National Register. Located along the alley of the 100 block on the south side of West Oak Street, this long narrow commercial building cinstructed of tile is characterized by a pent roof of pseudo-round tile over the glossy black front. Plain rectangular metal and glass windows on the storefront and double windows with wooden sashes on the west elevation further characterize this long narrow building. A recessed entrance is located in the center of the facade and a rear entrance is located at the south end of the west elevation. This former newspaper office, apparently characterized earlier by a wooden storefront featuring large glass transom windows over vertically divided lights and a recessed entrance, has received a contemporary front. This one-story tile building, replacing a two-story frame building recorded on the site as late as 1931 according to the Sanborn Insurance Map, was constructed in the 1930s. Constructed for J.P. Rice, this building housed the Monroe County Democrat newspaper plant and office until 1979. The Monroe Cuonty Publishers Building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. This building, constructed in the 1930s, has received a new facade. However, the Monroe County Newspaper building has sufficient integrity to contribute to the historic character of the proposed Water Street Commercial District. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Mark Goodman, Ed., "Sparta Incorporation City Centennial, 1883-1983" (Sparta, 1983), p. 30. (B) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (C) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1879-1930; Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |