website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Charles Fischer & Son
1895 - 2007
106 W Main
2-6 E Main
1895
The Chas. Fischer and Sons store was started in March, 1895, on Main
Street, west of the Rock River. It was originally located
in West Main Street, in the building which houses the Savoy Theater. It was for many years known as Watertown’s
Greater West Side Store. It was first
known as Fellermann & Fischer, named after the
original owners Eli Fischer, who was in his early 20s,
and John Fellermann.
1902
01 10 The Lake Mills Leader reports that Frank C. Smith of that city has sold out his
stock of goods to Charles Fisher & Son of Watertown, and will retire from
the business the first of February next, just six years from the date of the
opening of Smith Brothers on the 1st of February, 1896. The business was started by Frank and his
brother Theodore, who finally sold his interest to Frank who made a trip to the
Klondike. WG
1906 New Masonic Temple building dedicated; Fischers moves to later,
previously site had been that of Watertown
Steam Laundry.
1906 Despite
the inclement weather yesterday, the fall opening of Watertown's greater and
remodeled west side store, was a
decided success and throughout the day the store was visited by a steady stream
of purchasers and the force of clerks, together with the proprietors, were kept
busy all day showing and disposing of their wares.
10 06 Chas. Fischer & Son Co. never do
things by halves. When they announce a
special sale of any kind they invariably back up all claims and the opening of
their three day's sale yesterday morning was no exception to the rule. Hundreds of people visited the store to take
advantage of the special offerings and admire the decided change in the way of
enlargement in the store that has taken place during the past few weeks. Had the weather been at all favorable, there
is no doubt but that it would have been impossible to have handled the crowds
of anxious buyers and with favorable weather today and Monday, there is no
doubt but that the newly remodeled and enlarged store will present a lively
scene . . .
1908
Charles Fischer attends
provincial synod of the Moravian
church. 09 04 1908
1909
09 17 Plate glass show window WG
06 25 Extensive improvements to be made;
Reduction sale prior to WG
09 24 Opening of enlarged and remodeled store;
1250 sq ft added to salesroom WG
12 31 Bethlehem in Miniature: The
finest window decoration ever seen in Watertown is that of Charles Fischer
& Son Co, the West Main Street merchants.
It represents the ancient town of Bethlehem—the stable, manger, cattle,
etc., and all the scenes surrounding the birth of Christ, with angels hovering
overhead. It is a very impressive
looking scene, especially so at night, when illuminated by colored electric
lights. Thousands of our people have
gone to admire it the past week. If you
have not see it, do not fail to do. WG
1910
04 01 Wearbettter
Combination Suits WG
1911
03 02 1895-1911 / 16th Anniversary Sale / MARCH
3, 4, 6, 7, 8 / Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Anniversaries are a
time when it is customary and when it is right and wise for individuals or
corporations to look back over their history and to look ahead into their
future, thereby gaining a comprehensive view of mistakes and successes. The sixteen years time during which this
store has grown from one floor containing 2500 square feet of selling space to
the present three floors containing 7500 square feet has been filled with
experiences of a fruitful kind.
If any one thing has
had more to do with the building up of this business than any other one thing,
it is that we sell Merchandise of Quality instead of merchandise without
quality.
The idea of courteous
service, of bargains without bluster or bluff, the desire to be known above all
things as reliable, are the things that stand out strong in the minds of the
people of Watertown and vicinity. When
we fail to give our customers complete satisfaction, then this store will fail
to longer be a success—but until then we'll continue to strive from day to day
to give each individual customer that perfect satisfaction that is each
customer's proper due.
Until then—we'll
continue to grow—as we have done in the past.
Charles Fischer &
Sons Co., Watertown’s Greater West Side Store
WG
11 16 Fine
Electric Sign
Charles Fischer & Son Co. have placed an elegant
electric sign fronting their place of business on [106] West Main Street. It is one of the finest in the city and is an
indication of the very enterprising spirit of that popular firm. WG
1936
Exterior
and interior improvements made to store
1961 66th Anniversary
04 18 One of Watertown’s most widely known business
establishments, Fischer and Sons, the store “at the bridge,” is celebrating its
66th anniversary and will observe the event with a special storewide sale which
begins tomorrow. The store, now the
oldest of its kind in the city and one of the best known business
establishments in this part of the state, will hold a 10 day storewide sale in
connection with the anniversary, officials of the store announced today. WDT
2007
04 12 The last family-run department store in
the state will close its doors later this year after serving the Watertown
community for over a century. Watertown Daily Times story [WHS_005_547]
July 4, 2007
Cross
References:
Fischer's
1909, 106 W Main, Charles and son, dry goods
Fischer's
1913, 106 W Main, department store
Fischer’s
1915, Ad, 106 W Main
Fischer's
1934, 2-6 E Main Fischer's 1950, 2-6 E Main
Fischer's
1956, 2-6 E Main, 1950s-70s city assessor form, image included, WHS_006_090
Fischer's
1971, 2 E Main
Fischer's
1975, 2-6 E Main, west side entrance, WHS_005_284
Fischer's
1975, 2-6 E Main, WHS_005_274 Fischer's 1993
