Property Record
122 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | L.A. Herrick Jewelry Store |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Duffits Tavern |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 27983 |
| Location (Address): | 122 N WATER ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1890 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Water Street Commercial Historic District |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | 11/12/1992 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/3/1992 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | The L.A. Herrick Building was constructed in 1899 and began as a jewelry store. The L.A. Herrick family owned the building until at least 1930. There were several retail businesses in the building during this time. In 1916, Naomi Holden's millinery shop was located here, and by 1922, an unknown hardware store resided in the building. The L.A. Herrick Jewelry Building possess potential historical significance as a central business type within Sparta at the turn of the century, but there is little historical data currently associated with the building or its occupants to determine its role in the development of Sparta. Therefore, it is currently historically insignificant under criterion A. The Herrick Jewelry Store is a commercial vernacular building characterized by a recessed red brick facade bordered by full length brick applied pilasters on the ends of the facade and a small corbelled brick cornice along the top of the facade. Short brick applied pilasters with corbelled ends above the second story windows in the center bay of the upper facade flank a grouping of three small rectangular attic windows. The simple rectangular windows located in the three bays of the recessed area of the facade are articulated by flat rough white stone lintels and sills. A contemporary storefront of vertical wooden siding, brick veneer apron, small rectangular window and entrance doors located on both ends presently is displayed on the lower story. Generally wel-preserved, this turn-of-the-century vernacular brick building has been altered by the replacement metal window sashes on the upper story and the addition of the contemporary styled storefront. This brick veneered building was built for L.A. Herrick at a reported cost of $2500 to house his jewelry store in 1899. Herrick continued to use this small commercial building as his jewelry store until c. 1920. The Herrick Jewelry Store is a turn of the century commercial vernacular building exhibiting a fair degree of integrity and some architectural interest. However, the Herrick Jewelry Store does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. This building has sufficient historic architectural character to contribute to the proposed Water Street Historic District. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sparta Herald March 28, 1899; April 11, 1899; Jan. 9, 1900. (B) City of Sparta Tax Records 1870-1930. (C) Sanborn Insurance Map 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (D) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls 1870-1940. (E) Sparta City Directory, 1903-1904. Sparta: R.C. Glover, Publisher, 1904. (F) City Directory of the City of Sparta. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |