| Additional Information: | The Watertown High School (original section) was built in 1916-17. The high school was the fifth building that was used for the high school program that began in the 1850s. The first recognized high school program was Theodroe Bernhardt's school in the old Ducasse house at North Fifth and Jones (demolished). Bernhardt's academic program offerred students instruction in trigonometry, surveying, and history. There was also instruction in German. Probably when Bernhardt entered the public school system, the Ducasse building was abandoned and the high school was held in the old first ward school. When the union schools were built, the high school program moved to Union School #4, then to Union School #1. Eventually, it took over the entirety if School #1 and the school became the Watertown High School. In 1916-17 this building (original section) was constructed expressly for the high school program. A major addition was built in 1931 to house the junior high school program and the vocational school. These programs have since left and today, after many other additions, the original building still houses the Watertown High School.
This building is significant for local history because it meets criterion A, it is important in the development of the secondary education program in Watertown.
Largely through the efforts of pioneer educator Theodore Bernhardt, and later C.F. Viebahn, Watertown developed early a solid high school program. It was unusual for most communities to have had such a strong public high school in the nineteenth century. All the historic locations of the high school are no longer extant with the exception of the original section of this building. While the integrity of the building has been compromised with all the additions, the original section is still discernable and as the only remaining resource related to the development of public secondary educaton in the community, the Watertown High School meets the National Register criteria for eligibility.
Designed in 1916-17 by La Crosse architects Parkinson and Dorkendorf, Watertown High School is a two-story red brick block articulated by two-story projecting entrance bays topped by stylized battlements and crenellations and ornamented with white masonry accents and mouldings. The central entrance bay is more ornate than the side entrances ornamented in a similar manner. Segmental arched white masonry entrances further characterize the entrance bays. A narrow white belt course projects below the sculptured parapet and between the lower floor and the foundation divides the structure horizontally.
Plain rectangularwindows with transom are located on the plain, smooth brick elevations.
Several additions and the gymnasium are located at the rear of the original building. The 1917 building is connected to the additions by a walkway. In 1956, a 21,000 square foot addition was built on the two story portion of the building. After this, 6,000 square feet were added. In 1964, an addition was built over the cafeteria, adding 7,000 feet.
The Watertown High School is significant under criterion C as an example of Collegiate Gothic architecture and as an exmaple of the work of a regionally important architectural firm, Parkinson and Dockendorf. One of three examples of historic school architecture in Watertown and the only representative of early 20th century school design in Watertown, this Watertown School exhibits the simple surfaces and the stylized vertical elements topped by Gothic derived ornament and architectural details typical of the late Gothic style created in the 20th century.
Parkinson and Dockendorf of La Crosse was an architectural firm noted throughout the upper Midwest for their designs of public buildings. The Parkinson and Dockendorf firm practiced from c. 1905 to 1952 in La Crosse, WI.
The other two significant historic school buildings are Union School #3 at 505 Lincoln St. (21-29) and St. Bernard's School at 111 So. Montgomery Street (54-6). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Building inscription.
(B) Watertown Daily Times 10/11/1910; 11/4/1991.
(C) Wisconsin State Journal 10/16/1995.
(D) "Kewanee on the Job," Kewanee Boiler Co., Kewanee, IL, n.p., n.d.
(E) Watertown Wisconsin Centennial, 1854-1954. Watertown: Jansky Printing Company, p. 26. |
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