Property Record
127 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | M.E. Steele Building |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Beaver Creek Co-op of Sparta |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 27997 |
| Location (Address): | 127 N WATER ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1929 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | small 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 present building was constructed sometime between 1929 and when it first appears on the Sanborn Insurance maps in 1931. The uses of this building are unknown at this time. Because little historical data is currently associated with the building, its role in the development of Sparta remains unclear. It is therefore currently historically insignificant under criterion A. This small, one and one-half story, vernacular commercial building constructed of tile blocks is characterized by a red brick faced facade featuring a recessed panel on the upper attic store with corbeled brick along the top and brick pilasters on the ends of the facade. A storefront displaying brick end piers, a brick apron, and recessed central entrance remains on the building. A full-length, shingled canopy extends over the storefront. Generally well-preserved, this building has been altered by the addition of a canopy to the storefront. Constructed in 1929, this small commercial building was built for M.E. Steel on the site of a 19th century brick building that was destroyed by fire c. 1921. The M.E. Steel Building is a well-preserved example of a small vernacular commercial building constructed without historic ornament. It is similar in style and integrity to the Wettstein Building at 108 East Oak (MO36/17) and the Nicol Building at 107 North Water (MO 37/27). More substantial examples of the style exist at 211 South Water (MO36/35) and 138 North Water (MP35/34). |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) City of Sparta Tax Records 1920-1929. (B) Sanborn Insurance Map 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. Sparta Monroe County Democrat 9/2/1999. SPARTA MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRAT. "Fine almost imposed on food co-op" 9/2/1999 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |