Property Record
100 E MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Merchants National Bank; Clara Weiss Building |
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| Other Name: | The Radio Center; U.S. Navy Recruiting Office |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 76220 |
| Location (Address): | 100 E MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | 1937 1905 |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | bank/financial institution |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | Frank L. Lindsay-1905 |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Commercial Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/2/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. This building is the location of the Merchants National Bank. The Merchants Bank was founded in 1892 with Joseph Terbrueggen as its first president. The building here was built for the bank and in 1905 the bank reportedly became the first in the community to establish a savings department. In 1905, as well, an annex at the rear of the building was built and the facility was enlarged and remodeled in 1937. The Merchants National Bank still operates today at new quarters in the downtown. It is part of the Marine chain of banks in Wisconsin. This building has some historical interest as the home of one of the "big three" banks in Watertown, the Merchants National Bank. The building could be individually significant for the development of commercial financial institutions in the community. Originally two 1890s buildings, both featuring towers on the facade, the historic Merchants National Bank (100 east Main) and the Clara Weiss Millinery Store (102 East Main). A concrete block and screen wall unites the front building to a cream brick two-story building located at the rear of the bank building, now the west section of the present structure. The east section, the former millinery shop, has a one-story addition at the rear. July 2003: A Supplementary Listing Record was requested to revise the National Register nomination and to list this building as a contributing resource in the district. The modern masonry and metal screen covering the facade have been removed exposing the historical material beneath. The historic fenestration and much of the distinctive masonry detail was found to be intact. Supplementary listing record signed 8/20/2003. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Photograph, Folio, City of Watertown, c. 1960, Archives, Octagon House, Watertown Historical Society. (C) "Merchants Bank Founded in 1892," Watertown Daily Times Centennial Issue, June 26, 1954, n.p. The Improvement Bulletin 4/5/1905. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |