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

Retail Building

203-209 E. Kemp

— Watertown Commercial Historic District —

Retail Building Marker image. Click for full size.

November 10, 2024

1. Retail Building Marker

Inscription. East half built 1928, west half 1941, new facade 1964. Built as Montgomery Wards building.

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 1928.

Location. 44° 53.988′ N, 97° 6.638′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. It is on Kemp Avenue East east of 2nd Street Northeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 207 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: A different

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marker also named Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown History (within shouting distance of this marker); John Moodie Dry Goods Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harper Building (about 300 feet away); Woolworth Building (about 300 feet away); Foley Block–East End (about 300 feet away); E.H. Prey Jeweler and Optician (about 300 feet away); Foley Block–West End (about 300 feet away). 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 Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (1989):

"(203) commercial building; west 2/3 built 1928, east 1/3 built 1941 and new facade then; 2-story (but rather high); dark brown brick; limited stone trim; simple treatment; contributing"

"The Watertown Commercial Historic District is ... a homogenous collection of mostly commercial, 2-story, brick buildings, many dating from
November 10, 2024

2. Retail Building & Marker
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 December 13, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2024. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2024.