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

Harper Building

15 Second St. N.E.

— Watertown Commercial Historic District —

Harper Building Marker image. Click for full size.

September 14, 2025

1. Harper Building Marker

Inscription. Built 1910 for Mrs. J. N. Harper as Northwest Cadillac Co., following were Bichler Motor Co., Montgomery Ward Auto Service and others.

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 1910.

Location. 44° 54.025′ N, 97° 6.671′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. It is on 2nd Street Northeast south of 1st Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 2nd St NE, 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

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walking distance of this marker: John Moodie Dry Goods Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Woolworth Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Retail Building (within shouting distance of this marker); E.H. Prey Jeweler and Optician (within shouting distance of this marker); Balsiger's Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Retail Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Foley Block–East End (about 300 feet away); Foley Block–West End (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.

Regarding Harper 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):

"(15) Harper Building; 1910; Mrs. J.N. Harper built it for Northwest Cadillac Company; 1-story; concrete block with brick (painted) facade; brick dentils; "HARPER” in one of 3 panels; stone lintels span storefront windows;
September 14, 2025

2. Harper Building & Marker
relatively unaltered except for paint; 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."

(Submitted on September 18, 2025.)

Harper Building image. Click for full size.

September 14, 2025

3. Harper Building

September 14, 2025

4. Harper Building

September 14, 2025

5. Harper Building

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2025. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2025.