Property Record
611 Clyman St.
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Edward L. Schempf House |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 75916 |
| Location (Address): | 611 Clyman St. |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1870 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Gabled Ell |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Clyman Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 8/3/2015 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/27/2015 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Six over clear plate glass windows; arched windows with brick voussoirs; shed roofed dormer; partially screened front porch with tapered square posts and balustrade; shed roofed rear extension with open wooden porch. This was the home of Edward L. Schempf during much of the time he was active in the Schempf Brothers Department store. He lived here between c. 1917 and at least 1930. The Schempf store was established by George and Leonard Schempf in 1848. The business grew to become the largest department store in the community, taking up three-four storefronts in an impressive building on Main Street. The business was incorporated in 1896 and Edward Schempf, part of the second generation of Schempfs in the business, became part of the business in the early twentieth century. This house has some historical interest as the home of one of the second generation partners in the Schempf Brothers department store, Watertown's largest and most prominent retail business of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. While Edward Schempf was important as an owner of an important retail business when he lived here, he was not the founder and long-time owner. Also, the Schempf store building still exists in downtown Watertown and better represents the career of Edward Schempf. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Watertown City Directories,1866-1930, Watertown, Wisconsin Public Library. (B) "Schempf Store in Business for 88 Years," Watertown Daily Times Centennial Issue, June 26, 1954, n.p. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |