| Additional Information: | The Sugden Building was erected in 1899. The original occupants of the building were the Flock Brothers Plumbing Co. In Sparta's past, there was only one plumbing firm of note. That establishment was the Flock Brothers Plumbing Co. In 1896, the Flock Brothers began their plumbing and gas-fitting establishments in Sparta. The Flock Brothers started their business in 1896 at 113 South Water Street, but by 1899 had relocated to the Sugden Building at 124 North Water Street. Besides plumbing, they worked on steam and hot water heating, and gas-fitting. However, by 1904, they had moved once again - this time to 113 E. Oak Street. A millinery shop run by Mrs. E. Johnson and Anna Goodman replaced them as occupants of the building. By 1911, the Sugden building held either a book and stationary store or a boot and shoe store. In 1916, L.D. Merrill purchased the building and bewteen 1916 and 1922, it was L.D. Merrill and Lester Moore's jewelry store.
The Sugden Building gains local historical significance under Criteria A in association with the topic of Plumbing Industries under Sparta's Industrial Theme. The building's period of historical significance is a short one from 1899 to 1904, when the Flock Brothers Plumbing Co. was located there.
This small one-story rectangular vernacular brick building displays a contemporary styled wide pent roof, which extends over the storefront composed a cream brick apron, plate glass and a recessed entrance with metal and glass door.
Originally a small red brick commercial building constructed in the commercial vernacular form, the facade of this building has been completely altered by the addition of the pent roof and contemporary storefront.
The Sugden Building was constructed in 1899 for Mrs. J.M. Sugden as rental property on the site of an earlier frame building that house the historic J.M. Sugden paint and decorating store. This small brick building was originally rented to the Flock Brothers Plumbing firm in 1899 and was used as the Pretz and Wanner Cigar Factory in 1905.
The Sugden Building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. Also, it does not contribute to the Water Street Commercial District because it no longer exhibits its original historic character. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Monroe County Historical Society, Photograph File, Photograph #1283.
(B) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1870-1930.
(C) Sparta Herald March 28, 1899; Sept. 26, 1905.
(D) Sanborn Insurance Map 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931.
(E) City of Sparta Tax Rolls, 1870-1940.
(F) Annual Directory of Sparta, Wisconsin, Vol. 1. Chicago: Interstate Directory Co., 1897.
(G) Sparta City Directory, 1903-1904. Sparta: R.C. Glover, Publisher 1904.
(H) City Directory of the City of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916.
(I) Koehler, Lyle P., From Frontier Settlement to Self-Conscious American Community: A History of One Rural Viallge (Sparta, Wisconsin) in the Nineteenth Century. Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, Inc., 1977, p 96.
(J) Monroe County Democrat, "Sparta Up-To-Date" June 30, 1899:22. |
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