Property Record
315 N 8TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Theodore Bernhardt |
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| Reference Number: | 75078 |
| Location (Address): | 315 N 8TH ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1860 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Side Gabled |
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| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Enclosed south side entrance porch; rear brick and wooden additions; paired front cross gables; projecting wooden triangular pediment shaped window heads. This house was the home of Theodore Bernhardt during his years in the Watertown School System. Bernhardt was born in Germany and was a graduate of the University of Berlin. Before emigrating to the United States, he was a school teacher. Bernhardt was one of the noted "forty-eighters" who came from Germany for political reasons after supporting revolutionary efforts in Europe during the 1848 period. When he reached Watertown he attempted to earn a living at a trade, but like many of his intellecual contemporaries, he was not trained as a tradesman and was largely unsuccessful. In 1859, he began a private high school, historically thought to be the first high school program. In 1863 he entered the public school system as principal of the public high school program. He was also superintendent of schools and is thought to have been largely responsible for the free textbooks provided to public school students in 1877, reportedly the first school system in the state to do so. Bernhardt died shortly thereafter, having served the Watertown schools during their formative period. This house is significant under National Register criterion B because it is associated with early educator Theodore Bernhardt. It was probably because of Bernhardt that Watertown had a high school program at such an early date. His private school was part of the foundation of the early high school and Bernhardt's educational background made the fledgling school an important part of the school system in Watertown. It is also significant that Bernhardt was part of the free textbook movement in the community, certainly a major step in helping create free public access to education in the ninteenth century. All the historic schools Bernhardt was affiliated with are no longer extant. Therefore, this house, where Bernhardt lived during his years with Watertown's public school system, meets the eligibility criteria of an important resource associated with a significant person in Watertown's educational history. This house does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of architectural character as well as a lack of integrity. However, this house has sufficient architectural integrity to meet the criteria for historical significance. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) William F. Whyte, "Beginnings of the Watertown School System," Wisconsin Magazine of History, 7 (1923-24): 90. (B) City Directories for Watertown, 1866-1930, Watertown, Wisconsin Public Library. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |