Property Record
921 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Ferdinand Behlke |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 7173 |
| Location (Address): | 921 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1888 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | This was the home of Ferdinand Belhke, a carpenter-contractor, between 1889 and at least 1930. Initial research indicates that none of the occupants of this house are historicaly significant. Generally described as a "cross" house verncacular form, this brick ouse exhibits gabled wings radiating on all four sides. Decorative shingles and bracket trimmed cut-away bays on the east gable, a two-story pyramidal roofed tower located in the rear west angle of the house, mansard roofed partially enclosed entrance with iron cresting on the roof curb and carved porch supports in the front east angle add further irregularity to this house form. Italianate influenced raised arched window heads with corbelled ends and accents and an oculus in the front gable are additional features. This Watertown brick cruciform or cross house is significant under criterion C as an example of the vernacular cross house popularized in the 19th century and commonly seen in the city of Watertown. One of the best preserved of the many examples in the city, this house exhibits the cross floor plan, the full two and and a half story height, porches and bay windows characteristic of this 19th century vernacular form as well as the Italianate influenced window heads and porches popular during the period. Other well-preserved examples of this vernacular form include the houses at 605 E. Division (50-5), 1012 Western Ave. (44-5), and 906 No. 4th (28-32). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Watertown City Directories, 1889-1934, Watertown Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |