| Additional Information: | The Millegan Building was erected in 1897 and the Jonathan Wettstein Meat Market was its principal occupant from 1897 to circa 1911. The Jonathan Wettstein Meat Market was one of several important butchershops in Sparta at the turn of the century. However, by 1916, a jewelry store run occupied the building. This jewelry store continued at least until 1922 and perhaps longer.
The Milligan Buliding gains local historical significance under Criterion A in association with the Meats Products Industry topic under Sparta's Commerce Theme. The meatpacking business contributed substantially to Sparta's economy over a long period of time in the form of meatpacking plants and butcher shops, and the Jonathan Wettstein Meat Market played a significant part in this time period. The building's period of significance ranges from its erection in 1897 to circa 1916.
This two-story, small brick commercial building features a metal front with one single narrow window in the north bay and a three-sided bay window in the south bay of the upper story of the facade. A contemporary metal and glass storefront with entrances to the lower story as well as the upper story is located on the south side of the storefront. A metal canopy is suspended the full length of the storefront.
This small commercial building, originally exhibiting a vernacular brick form characterized by a cornice and an iron storefront, has been altered completely by the addition of the metal front in 1983. The bay window, not original to this turn-of-the-century building, was in place by the early 1920s. In addition, it has been altered by the replacement of its historic storefront with a contemporary storefront.
This small brick building (65 ft. x 20 ft) was constructed in 1897 at the same time as the adjacent Merrill Jewelry Store Building at 114 South Water Street (MP35/4). Constructed by local contractors Bowen and Knauss, this building was built for S.L. Millegan. The Milligan building, built as rental property owned by Mrs. S.L. Millegan, originally housed the John Wettstein Meat Market.
The Millegan Building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. Also, because its historic character has been eliminated by the application of siding to the facade, it does not contribute to the Water Street Commercial Historic District. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Monroe County Historic Room, Sparta, Photograph Collection, Photogragh #380.
(B) Daryl Wenzel, owner, interview, Sparta, July 1990.
(C) Sparta Herald May 18, 1897; Jan. 18, 1898; June 13, 1923, photograph.
(D) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1868-1930.
(E) Sanborn Insurance Map 1884, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931.
(F) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940.
(G) French, Bella, "History of Sparta, Wisconsin." The American Sketchbook. La Crosse: Sketch Book Company, 1875: p. 70-74.
(H) Annual Directory of Sparta, Wisconsin. Vol. 1. Chicago: Interstate Directory Co., 1897.
(J) Sparta City Directory, 1903-1904. Sparta: R.C. Glover, Publisher, 1904.
(K) City Directory of the City of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916. |
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