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Property Location
Location (Address)
114-116 N CHURCH ST
County
Jefferson
City/Village
Watertown
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section
Property Features
Year Built
1877
Additions
Survey Date
2004
Historic Use
Architectural Style
Structural System
Masonry
Wall Material
Cream Brick
Architect
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished
No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments
"Open screened porch on north wing with Tuscan columns and balustrade; projecting wooden triangular shaped window and door heads; entrance door into main block with over light; oculus in front gable; moulded window hoods." (From the hestern Historical Co., 1879, p. 602.)
This house was the home of Dr. James Cody. Cody's son William G. lived here between the late nineteenth century to at least 1930.
James Cody was born in Newfoundland. He studied medicine in Massachusetts, receiving his medical degree in 1844 from Harvard University. He came to Watertown in 1846 and practiced there beginning at that time. His activities beyond his local medical practice included time as Surgeon of the Wisconsin State Artillery, an Examiner of Pensions for the U.S. Government, and a school superintendent. He was known as a civic leader as well as physician.
This house is significant for local history under National Register criterion B, because it is associated with Dr. James Cody.
Cody was probably the most noted of Watertown's pioneer doctors. He was well-trained for an early Wisconsin doctor and identified himself as an electic physician and surgeon. Cody was probably the most well-known of all the early doctors in the community. And, his activities outside of his local practice made a larger impact on the community than others. Because of his importance in the history of medicine in Watertown, Cody is a significant early citizen of the community. Cody had offices in Watertown's downtown commercial district, for a time in the prestigious Bank of Watertown building. However, this house was his long time home and has historical significance because of it.
Distinguished by a mansard roof with concave sides and arched dormers, this house built for Dr. James Cody features raised stone widow hoods with articulated keystones placed over arched one over one windows and a similarly styled door hood placed over the sidelighted door and transom window on the facade of the main block. The letter "C" can be seen in the keystone over the front door. An open one-bay porch leads to the arched entrance door on the south wing, a mansard roofed bay window on the south elevation and a paneled frieze under the overhanging eaves or cornice further characterize the house.
Notable interior features include a wide curving stairway with walnut handrail and spindles, plaster ceiling medallions, marble fireplace and sliding doors.
The removal of the Italianate brackets and dentils from thr cornice under the eaves has altered the exterior appearance of the house.
The James Cody house is significant under criterion C as a good example of the French Second Empire style. Among the most significant of the seven extent examples in the city, the Cody house exhibits the distinguishing characteristics of the style including the mansard roof and arched dormers, projecting pavilion, and arched windows with decorative hoods. Italianate influences include the overhanging eaves, articulated arch window hood and interior ornament such as plaster cornices and medallion.
Other significant examples of the Second Empire style in the city inculde the Stone house at 300 So. Washington (54-36), the Mulberger house at 311 So. Washington (54-32), the Globe Milling house at 623 So. 12th (35-30) and the Werlich house at 719 Market (45-22). House at 719 Market (45-22).
This house was the home of Dr. James Cody. Cody's son William G. lived here between the late nineteenth century to at least 1930.
James Cody was born in Newfoundland. He studied medicine in Massachusetts, receiving his medical degree in 1844 from Harvard University. He came to Watertown in 1846 and practiced there beginning at that time. His activities beyond his local medical practice included time as Surgeon of the Wisconsin State Artillery, an Examiner of Pensions for the U.S. Government, and a school superintendent. He was known as a civic leader as well as physician.
This house is significant for local history under National Register criterion B, because it is associated with Dr. James Cody.
Cody was probably the most noted of Watertown's pioneer doctors. He was well-trained for an early Wisconsin doctor and identified himself as an electic physician and surgeon. Cody was probably the most well-known of all the early doctors in the community. And, his activities outside of his local practice made a larger impact on the community than others. Because of his importance in the history of medicine in Watertown, Cody is a significant early citizen of the community. Cody had offices in Watertown's downtown commercial district, for a time in the prestigious Bank of Watertown building. However, this house was his long time home and has historical significance because of it.
Distinguished by a mansard roof with concave sides and arched dormers, this house built for Dr. James Cody features raised stone widow hoods with articulated keystones placed over arched one over one windows and a similarly styled door hood placed over the sidelighted door and transom window on the facade of the main block. The letter "C" can be seen in the keystone over the front door. An open one-bay porch leads to the arched entrance door on the south wing, a mansard roofed bay window on the south elevation and a paneled frieze under the overhanging eaves or cornice further characterize the house.
Notable interior features include a wide curving stairway with walnut handrail and spindles, plaster ceiling medallions, marble fireplace and sliding doors.
The removal of the Italianate brackets and dentils from thr cornice under the eaves has altered the exterior appearance of the house.
The James Cody house is significant under criterion C as a good example of the French Second Empire style. Among the most significant of the seven extent examples in the city, the Cody house exhibits the distinguishing characteristics of the style including the mansard roof and arched dormers, projecting pavilion, and arched windows with decorative hoods. Italianate influences include the overhanging eaves, articulated arch window hood and interior ornament such as plaster cornices and medallion.
Other significant examples of the Second Empire style in the city inculde the Stone house at 300 So. Washington (54-36), the Mulberger house at 311 So. Washington (54-32), the Globe Milling house at 623 So. 12th (35-30) and the Werlich house at 719 Market (45-22). House at 719 Market (45-22).
Bibliographic References
"A New Residence," Watertown Democrat, 15 February 1877. Follow-up mention on 3 May 1877.
“Architecture/History Survey: Reconstruct STH 26 (Church St.): STH 19 To Union Pacific RR.” WHS project number 04-0759/DO/JE. February 2004. Prepared by Carol Cartwright.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
National/State Register Listing Name
North Washington Street Historic District
National Register Listing Date
Oct 23, 2009
State Register Listing Date
Apr 17, 2009
Contributing
Yes
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
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