Property Record
120 W MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Daniel Jones Building; Watertown Gazette |
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| Other Name: | Watertown Siding Co. |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 77194 |
| Location (Address): | 120 W MAIN ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1851 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | small retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| 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: | This much-altered building was constructed by important pioneer resident Daniel Jones. Jones operated a store and financial business here before he became a banker in the 1850s. Jone's store was still listed here in the 1872 City Directory. In 1880, this building became the location of the Watertown Gazette. Its editor was James Moore, who was born in New York City and came to Watertown as a boy in 1861. Moore operated the Gazette, a weekly newspaper of some importance, here between 1880 and 1915. This building would be significant for local history because of its association with Daniel Jones and the Watertown Gazette. However, historic photos indicate that this building has been largely altered. It has lost one floor and its exterior facade radically altered. Therefore, in its present condition, the building does not meet the criteria for significance in local history, and is probably non-contributing in the Main Street historic district. Originally a three-story brick building built in the early 1850s for Daniel Jones, this building has been altered considerably. Presently a two-story building, the former Jones Dry Goods building also has had its windows replaced and moved upward on the facade as well as on the west elevation. A molded brick cornice was added when the building was remodeled. The store front with an off-set entrance has been remodeled. The application of paint to the exterior has altered further the original character of the building. A second story open wooden porch is located at the rear and a free-standing hip roofed garage facing North Water Street is situated at the rear of the property. The Daniel Jones building is a commercial vernacular building exhibiting no particular historic ornament. Although this building is not architecturally significant, the Jones building contributes to the historic architectural character of the proposed Main Street Historic District. Although historically significant, the Jones building has been altered from a 3rd story to a two-story building and the historic architectural details have been removed or altered. As a result, the Jones buliding does not meet the criteria for National Register eligibility. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1860-1910, Area Research Center, Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (B) Watertown Chronicle April 23, 1851; Nov. 10, 1851. (C) Henry Colonius, "Pioneer Memories of Early Watertown," reprint Watertown Daily Times, Oct. 21, 1986. (D) Watertown City Directories, 1866-1930, Watertown Public Library. (E) "James Moore Published Weekly Gazette Here," Watertown Daily Times Centennial Issue, June 26, 1954, n.p. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |