Watertown in Codington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Goss Block and Opera House
100 E. Kemp
| | Watertown Commercial Historic District | |
April 20, 2024
1. Goss Block and Opera House Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 44° 53.998′ N, 97° 6.758′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. It is at the intersection of Kemp Avenue East and Maple Street East, on the right when traveling east on Kemp Avenue East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: State Bank and Trust Company or Commercial Bank (a few steps from this marker); M.D. Alexander's Furniture Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cave Auto Supply Building (within shouting distance of this marker); McCarthy Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Paris Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Foley BlockWest End (within shouting distance of this marker); Balsiger's Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.
Regarding Goss Block and Opera House. Contributing property, Watertown Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #89000834.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Goss | Goss Opera House. (Submitted on April 22, 2024.)
2. The Ghost of Watertown's Goss Opera House | SDPB. (Submitted on April 22, 2024.)
3. South Dakota SP Watertown Commercial Historic District | National Archives NextGen Catalog.
April 20, 2024
2. Goss Block and Opera House & Marker
From the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (1989):(Submitted on April 22, 2024.)
"(104) Goss Opera Hall; 1889; small similar addition to south in 1910; addition by architect Hockman; landmark in Watertown; 3-story appears even higher due to raised parapet; red brick; stone trim, including pedimented and joined lintels; a Victorian collection of lively surfaces; long pilasters pierce cornice line; brick arcades; long corbelling; altered: wood frame corner tower long gone, ground floor altered; contributing"
"The Watertown Commercial Historic District is ... a homogenous 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."
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2024. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2024.
