| Additional Information: | The Moffat Building was built in 1880 and was the home of Rice and Burton grocery store. On April 1, 1868, William Burton opened his grocery store with Asa Rice on the southwest corner of North Water and West Franklin Streets. By 1872, the grocery store was known as the Rice and Burton grocery. In 1880, they were the first occupants of the Moffat Building.
In 1887, William E. Graves became a member of the firm, and as late as 1903-1904 or possibly 1911, the grocery was known simply as the Burton & Graves grocery store. The Burton and Graves store was at this location from 1889 to possibly 1911. By 1916, however, it was known as the E.F. Benedict Grocery Store.
From 1922 to 1931, a variety of shops may have been situated here.
The Moffat Building gains local historical significance under Criterion A in association with the topic Grocery Stores under Sparta's Commercial Theme. The Burton and Graves grocery store located in this building was one of the more established groceries in Sparta. The building's range of historical significance ranges from 1880 to possibly 1916.
This two-bay, two-story commercial building exhibits its original brick construction as well as psuedo-tile facing on the lower store on its north elevation. The facade displays a stucco surface that is further characterized by two small windows, each flanked by louvered shutters. A contemporary psuedo-brick veneer storefront with large plate glass and a recessed central door is presently located on the building.
The original architectural character of this building, which was similar to the adjacent building at 144 North Water (MO35/14), has been altered greatly by the application of stucco to its facade and by the addition of the contemporary storefront. An addition was constructed to the rear in 1944 and a new front was added in 1967.
Constructed in 1880 as investment property for John Moffat, this building replaced an earlier frame building also owned by John Moffat that was demolished by fire in December of 1879. The frame Moffat building previously on the site was built only a few years before, after another large fire destroyed the north end of the block in January of 1875. In the 1889 fire on the north end of this North Water block, this 1880 Moffat building sustained only soot and water damage. The 1880 Moffat building was used originally by the Rice and Burton Grocery Store, who occupied the commercial space on the corner of North Water and Franklin Street at least as early as late 1880s and 1890s. The Moffat family continued to own this building until at least the 1930s.
The Moffat 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 has not retained its historic character. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Monroe County Historical Society, Photopgraph File, Photograph #1283.
(B) City of Sparta, Community Development Office, Building Permit File.
(C) Sparta Herald April 27, 1869; Jan. 10, 1875; March 9, 1875; April 24, 1875; June 10, 1875; Dec. 30, 1879; Jan. 13, 1880; Aug. 10, 1880; Oct. 26, 1880; Feb. 5, 1889; Sept. 22, 1891.
(D) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1870-1930.
(E) Sanborn Insurance Maps 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931.
(F) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940.
(G) Map of Sparta, Wisconsin. Milwaukee: Phoenix Map Company of Milwaukee, 1875.
(H) French, Bella, "History of Sparta, Wisconsin." The American Sketchbook. La Crosse: Sketch Book Company, Publishers, 1875, p. 70-74.
(I) Annual Directory of Sparta, Wisconsin. Vol. 1. Chicago: Interstate Directory Co., 1897.
(J) Sparta City Directory, 1904-1904. Sparta: R.C. Glover, Publisher 1904.
(K) City Directory of the City of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916.
(L) Jones, Ida Lucille, "A History of Sparta, Wisconsin." B.A. Thesis. University of Wisconsin, 1915, p. 8.
(M) "History of Sparta" installment 31. |
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