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109 E MAIN ST

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Property Record

109 E MAIN ST

Historic Name:
Seren Steel Blacksmith Shop

Other Name:
Market Square Tavern

Reference Number:
27936

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Property Location

Location (Address)

109 E MAIN ST

County

Monroe

City/Village

Sparta

Township

Unincorporated community

Town

Range

Direction

Section

Quarter Section

Quarter Quarter Section

Property Features

Year Built

1928

Additions

Survey Date

1989

Historic Use

blacksmith shop

Architectural Style

Commercial Vernacular

Structural System

Wall Material

Brick

Architect

Other Buildings On Site

Demolished

No

Demolished Date

Additional Comments

The Seren Steel (a.k.a. Steale) Blacksmith Shop was erected sometime between 1922 and 1930. It is not known when or how long Seren Steel operated his blacksmith business from this location. The Seren Steel (a.k.a. Steale) Blacksmith Shop replaced an earlier structure on this property. It was a small wooden structure, which housed a variety of businesses. They were included a second hand store (ca. 1900), and a tin shop (1911 to 1922). The tin shop was William Lange and Sons Tin Shop. Because little historical data is currently associated with the dwelling, its role in the development of Sparta can not be assessed at this time. It is therefore currently historically insignificant under Criteria A. Featuring two store spaces, this long, rectangular vernacular building displays plain, stepped-back, elevations with a tile coping. Plain rectangular windows with two over tow lights and entrance door are located on the rear elevation. Two storefronts composed of a simgle door flanked by a rectangular window are located on the East Main Street facade. This former blacksmith shop has been altered by the filling-in of the storefront on the retail spaced on the west end of the building. Constructed in 1928, this brick faced tile building replaced an earlier frame building on the site. This building was constructed for Seren Steele to house his blacksmith shop as well as an additional retail store space on the west end of the building used for rental purposes. The Seren Steele Blacksmith Shop building does not meet the criteria of the NRHP for architectural significance because of a lack of integrity. The facade has been altered and the west storefront has been filled in. Better examples of the commercial vernacular building form are located at 111 East Oak (MO35/22), 114-115 East Oak (MO35/21), 211 South Water (MO36/35) and 138 North Water (MO35/34). However, this building has sufficient architectural character to contribute to the proposed Water Street Historic District.

Bibliographic References

(A) Sanborn-Perris Insurance Maps, 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (B) City of Sparta Property Tax Rolls, 1870-1940. (C) City Directory of the CIty of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta: compiled and published by E.B. Bell, 1916. (D) City of Sparta Tax Records, 1920-1930.

National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings

National/State Register Listing Name

Water Street Commercial Historic District

National Register Listing Date

Nov 12, 1992

State Register Listing Date

Jul 03, 1992

Contributing

Yes

blacksmith shop Commercial Vernacular

Monroe
County

Sparta
Community

1920-1929
Decade

National and State Register Listing

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