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

Retail Building

14 E. Kemp

— Watertown Commercial Historic District —

Retail Building Marker image. Click for full size.

April 20, 2024

1. Retail Building Marker

Inscription. Built 1888, facade added around 1900. Home trade store 1919. Palace of Sweets 1930's-1950's, Sam and Mama Latsis.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 44° 54.011′ N, 97° 6.82′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. It is on Kemp Avenue East west of Maple Street East, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 E Kemp Ave, Watertown SD 57201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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Kennedy and Gayman Restaurant or Bakery (here, next to this marker); Milk Depot (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Retail Building (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Retail Building (a few steps from this marker); Tin Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Maurice Hockman (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercer Block (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.

Regarding Retail Building. Contributing property, Watertown Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #89000834.

Also see . . . South Dakota SP Watertown Commercial Historic District | National Archives NextGen Catalog.

From the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (1989):

"(14) commercial building; by 1888 with later c. 1900 facade; Home Trade Store in 1919; 2-story; brown brick; brick patterns, including corbelling; similar to 2 adjacent; contributing"

"The Watertown Commercial Historic District is ... a homogenous
April 20, 2024

2. Retail Building & Marker
collection of mostly commercial, 2-story, brick buildings, many dating from the turn of the century. ... Through scale (many 1- and 2-story buildings), materials (brick in brown shades, Kasota stone trim), and the presence of many buildings from the 1898-1915 period, the district conveys a unified and attractive appearance. Design features such as brick dentils further distinguish the district while reinforcing the feeling of a particular time and place. The high representation of 1898-1915-era buildings indicates the key development period of the district, while the wide span of construction dates from the 1880s to 1970 represent a continuum of commercial enterprise."

(Submitted on April 22, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2024. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2024.