Watertown in Codington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Mercer Block

11 East Kemp Avenue

— Watertown Commercial Historic District —

Mercer Block Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2018

1. Mercer Block Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built after 1888 and before 1892. From 1892 to 1915 bank, U.S. Express Office, saloon, clothing store, and jewelry shop. 1940’s First Federal Savings & Loan.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 44° 54.028′ N, 97° 6.83′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. Marker is on East Kemp Avenue west of North Maple, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the southwest corner of the subject building, facing East Kemp Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 East Kemp Avenue, 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. Maurice Hockman (a few steps from this marker); Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); M.D. Alexander's Furniture Store (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank

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(within shouting distance of this marker); McCarthy Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paris Store (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.

Regarding Mercer Block. Contributing property, Watertown Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #89000834.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Watertown Commercial Historic District

Also see . . .
1. Watertown Commercial Historic District (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Historic Watertown Guided Tour. The Mercer Block is an uptown gem — it has the only remaining 19th century metal façade in Watertown, though the top of the ornate metal cornice is gone. Architecturally, the building is a feast of geometric shapes and panels including bulls-eyes, brackets with hearts, semi-circular arches, Corinthian colonettes between the windows, and rosettes. The recessed entry and storefront windows are relatively unchanged from the original appearance. (Submitted on August 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2018

2. Mercer Block Marker

Mercer Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2018

3. Mercer Block

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.