Property Record
118 N WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Otto Biefeld and Company |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 80239 |
| Location (Address): | 118 N WATER ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1918 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862020 |
| Historic Use: | warehouse |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian Building |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | |
| 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 building was bulit for the Otto Biefeld Company as part of an expansion of his quarters on N. Water St. In 1914 the Biefeld Company needed to expand is facilities. They built the first structure at this address in that year (building with cornerstone). In 1918 an addition was made and in 1926 another addition was made that completes this site. These buildings were occupied until 1938 when Biefeld moved to South Second St. This complex is significant as part of the entire complex of the Otto Biefeld Company at this address and at 202 N. Water St. It is significant for local history under National Register criterion because it was the site for the formative growth of the Biefeld Company, an important metal fabricating industry in Watertown in the twentieth century. When the Biefeld Company outgrew the old Misegades building they expanded on this site. The company continued to expand here, building additions in 1918 and 1926. During the time the company expanded into these buildings, they increased the type of products they manufactured, incuding snow ploughs and dairy equipment. In 1938 they vacated these buildings for their new facility. While probably not significant on their own, these buildings contribute to the overall significance of the entire Biefeld manufacturing site. Built on the west side of the boiler room in 1918, the gable roofed, cream brick warehouse has shaped gables rising above the roof line on all four sides of the building. A large centrally placed arched door with articulated stone voussoirs and stone sill and narrow rectangular windows with chiseled stone lintels on either side characterize the upper facade. A brick chimney rises above the roof along the gable on the west elevation that also features rectangular windows with chiseled stone lintels. A red brick south end wall, a one-story flat-roofed addition are located at the rear and west side. A full-length vehicular service door installed on the facade has altered completely the lower facade. This 1918 warehouse exhibits a combination of historic and utilitarian influences. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tax Records, City of Watertown, 1910, Area Research Center, UW-Whitewater. (B) "Biefeld Brothers, Otto and Richard, Started Steel Fabricating Company." Watertown Daily Times, Centennial Issue, June 26, 1954. (C) Sanborn Perris Maps 1915-1937. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |