Property Record
208 N 5TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Thomas Shinnick |
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| Reference Number: | 74897 |
| Location (Address): | 208 N 5TH ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1900 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
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| Wall Material: | 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: | Large arched window on south side; arched window with brick voussoirs; enclosed flat roofed front porch with Tuscan columns on elevated foundation. This was the home of Dr. Thomas Shinnick between c. 1907 and c. 1911. Dr. Thomas Shinnick reportedly began the first hospital in a single room on S. First St. around 1900 with $100 worth of equipment from the city government. In 1906-07 he and Dr. Charles Habhegger decided a regular hospital was needed so they acquired an older home on E. Main St. and established St. Mary's Hospital there. Dr. Shinnick left the community in 1913, but the hospital went on to become the community hospital of the city. The Watertown Memorial Hospital of today is a direct descendent of the hospital Dr. Shinnick helped found in 1906-07. This house is significant for local history under National Register criterion B because it was associated with Dr. Thomas Shinnick, founder of the first hospital in the community. The founding of the first hospital in a community is a landmark event. That this hospital that Dr. Shinnick founded eventually became the community hospital of the city is significant. Because of his outstanding contribution to medical services in the community, Shinnick is a significant person. Even though he lived in Watertown only briefly, his contribution is so great that this residence, only his home briefly, as well, is significant for its association with him. This house does not meet the criteria of t he NRHP for architectural character because of a lack of architectural character as well as lack of integrity. However, this house has sufficient architectural integrity to meet the criteria for historical significance. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown, Wisconsin Public Library. (B) Watertown, Wisconsin Centennial 1854-1954, Watertown: Jansky Printing Company, 1954, pp. 70-72. (C) "St. Mary's Hospital Began to Render Service in 1907 from Main Street Residence," Watertown Daily Times Centennial Issuse, June 26, 1954, n.p. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |