Watertown in Codington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Maurice Hockman
Maurice A. Hockman, a prominent South Dakota architect, designed a large part of uptown. At least ten buildings are attributed to him and nine or more have Hockmanesque features. Characteristics of his style are prominent courses of brick dentils, smooth stone molding near the top of buildings, and Kasota stone with a rough finish for lintels, sills, and courses.
Hockman was born in Indiana in 1878. He studied art prior to his education in architecture. He moved to Watertown in 1902 and established a solo practice before partnering with a man named Schweiger. Between 1904 and 1917, Hockman had over sixty commissions throughout South Dakota and Minnesota.
Involved in the military, Hockman served as Governor Elrod's military advisor from 1905 to 1907 and enrolled in active service with the US Army in 1917. He worked as an engineer and architect for the remainder of his career.
Current examples of Hockman's works includes:
- Carnegie Library (Codington County Heritage Museum)
- Mount Hope Mausoleum
- Public Opinion Building
- Saint Mary's Mausoleum
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
- Balsigeerr Bakery Building
- Coplan Brothers Billiards Building
- Alterations, IOOF Hall
- Lyon-Smith-Schuler Building
- McIntyre Building
- Citizens National Bank Building
- Tarbell Building
Erected by Sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, a Preserve America Grant, and the South Dakota State Historical Society. Images courtesy of the South Dakota State Historical Society and the Codington County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 44° 54.025′ N, 97° 6.819′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. Marker is on West Kemp Avenue, 0.1 miles west of Broadway St. S, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 1/2 Kemp Ave E, Watertown SD 57201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mercer Block (a few steps from this marker); Commercial Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy and Gayman Restaurant or Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); M.D. Alexander's Furniture Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.