website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
The Jones-Kreitzman Family Collection
Glass-Plate Negatives
Prints can be ordered
Scroll down to see descriptions
The Watertown
Historical Society has acquired an irreplaceable set of over 200 glass-plate
negatives consisting of views of city businesses and events in Watertown
between 1881 and 1915. Included are
several never before seen images of the interior of the Octagon House.
This
irreplaceable set of plates has been donated to the society by Gerald Kreitzman and his brother William of Madison. It is believed that these negatives were made
by their grandfather, William
Jones.
It is the
goal of the society to have these priceless glass negatives digitized, have
prints made so to document and share, and to properly
archive and protect the original glass plates.
High
resolution copies of prints will be available for purchase upon completion of
this project, currently targeted for September of this year.
Links to
five low resolution sample images from this collection of negatives follow,
indicating the scope of the collection and underscoring the need to properly
preserve, while also making possible the opportunity to share these incredible
images.
Sample Images, including dining
room of Octagon House:
[ 1
], [ 2
], [ 3
], [ 4
], [ 5
].
Images are at low resolution
The society
is looking for donations of money to help get the photos printed. The estimated cost for doing so may be as
high as $1,700. Donations to this
project can be sent to the Watertown Historical Society, 919 Charles St.,
Watertown, WI 53094.
Queries
regarding a donation of any amount can be sent to the website mailbox.
We are
anxious to share our history with you, made possible by the Jones-Kreitzman Family Collection and solicited donations in any
amount for the digitization and printing of these breathtaking glass plate
negatives.
Historical Society Archives Enhanced
by Photo Collection
Editorial, Watertown Daily Times,
09 20 2003
The archives of the Watertown Historical Society have been dramatically
enhanced through the donation of 160 glass plate negatives of Watertown scenes
from the 1800s and early 1900s.
This donation was made by Gerald and William Kreitzman
from their family collection. The negatives are in excellent condition and
extremely detailed. The photos reproduced from them are incredibly sharp.
We're elated that this collection has come to the historical society
where it can be used by the entire community as a special resource.
The public received its first viewing of the photos earlier this week at
the historical society's quarterly meeting at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The
public was understandably impressed with the collection.
We want to express our appreciation to the Kreitzman
family for making this precious collection available to the historical society
and ultimately the citizens of Watertown.
We also believe the historical society made the right move by making the
photos readily available by offering reprints.
Through this collection Watertown residents will have a better understanding
of life in this community decades ago.
Prints can be ordered
Order form at end of this file
Image# KR001 - Henry W.
Vogel’s Gent’s Furnishings and Merchant Tailor, located on the "north side
of
Image# KR002 - J.W. Ganes Music Store, circa 1876-1880. This store was located
on the south side of
Image# KR003 - Watertown’s
Famous Band.
This was obviously a joke or comic band created during the Harvest Jubilee in
Sept., 1899. This image was taken inside the office of the old Fuermann brewery on S. First and Jones
Streets.
Image# KR004 - Trick
photograph of William Jones, playing cards with himself. Circa
1899.
Image# KR005 - William Jones
standing by his first prize-winning float in the Harvest Jubilee parade held in
Sept., 1899. Taken on the front yard of his home on
Image# KR006 - William Jones
leaning against his first prize-winning float in the Harvest Jubilee parade
held in Sept., 1899.
Image# KR007 - William Jones
and his prize-winning float in the Harvest Jubilee parade held in Sept., 1899.
The float stands in front of
Image# KR008 - Picnic at
Albrecht's Woods, circa 1899
Or, possibly, picnic held by
the Sinissippi Band, circa 1899.
Image# KR009 - Picnic held
by the Sinissippi Band, circa 1899. Image slightly out of focus.
Image# KR010 - Interior of
the William C. Radtke saloon, located at
Image# KR011 - The Straw and
Murphy Co., interior decorators,
Image# KR012 - Mrs. Henry
Bertram’s Boarding and Lodging House. Note Bertram’s shoe store on the far right. This
business, located on the "east side of
Image# KR013 - Octagon
House, built in 1854 by John Richards, pioneer settler of Watertown. This
image, made from a damaged negative, dates to circa 1899. There is a white
blemish on the right side of image.
Image# KR014 - Unidentified
children.
Circa 1905.
Image# KR015 - Portrait of
unidentified young girl, circa 1905.
Image# KR016 -Unknown delivery wagon, circa 1900.
Image# KR017 - Brooks
Brothers, dry goods and groceries, located at
Image# KR018 - "The
Fair", W.F. Gruetzmacher, proprietor, circa
1892.
This store sold fancy goods, crockery and notions. Today this is the site of
the Watertown Insurance Company.
Image# KR019 - Unidentified
merchant tailoring establishment. It is unknown if this is Watertown, WI.
Image# KR020 - John Dowling
and Michael Burke’s meat market, circa 1887. Today this is the site of
Edward Jones Investments,
Image# KR021 - John E. Mawson and Company, dry goods and groceries. The "company" was
Alvin E. Calhoun. The business was located on the "south side of
Image# KR022 - The Max E. Gritzner barber shop, located at
Image# KR023 - Tennis court
at Washington Park, circa 1904.
Image# KR024 - The Watertown
High School, located on the north side of
Image# KR025 - William F. Trachte and C. Albert Trayser,
dry goods store.
It was located on the northwest corner of Third and Main Streets, today part of
the Brown Shoe Company. Image taken circa 1890.
Image# KR026 - Believed to
be the Herman Grube home on the corner of S. Fourth
and Wisconsin Streets, circa 1890. This home was later razed and the present
brick home built in its place. The Grube family later
moved to the corner of S. Fifth and Wisconsin Streets and built a grand home
known at one time as Marcella Manor. Mr. Grube was a
former mayor of the city.
Image# KR027 - The Ernst Kunert Manufacturing Co., located at the foot of
Image# KR028 - The Philip Heinrichs Company, located at
Image# KR029 - Men standing
in front of the Fuermann Brewery office on
Image# KR030 - Print from a
damaged negative showing Jesse Stone’s funeral procession,
Image# KR031 - Dredging of the
mill race behind the Globe Mill on
Image# KR032 - A new floor
being added to the G.B. Lewis plant located along
Image# KR033 - A new floor
being added to the G.B. Lewis plant located along
Image# KR034 - Horse barn,
circa 1909, believed to have been located at one time in the old Bohemian
section of Watertown, along Oconomowoc Ave. Print from a damaged negative.
Silver in the negative has tarnished.
Image# KR035 - Home located
along
Image# KR036 - House,
believed to have been located along
Image# KR037 - Jesse Stone
funeral, 1902.
Damaged negative--fuzzy and spotted. This image shows
the Knights of Columbus parading east near the intersection of Main and Fourth
Streets.
Image# KR038 - Dredging out
the mill race behind the Globe Mill on
Image# KR039 - Arial view
along
Image# KR040 - Intersection
of Main and First Streets showing the procession during the funeral of Lt. Gov.
Jesse Stone,
Image# KR041 - Funeral
procession on
Image# KR042 -
Image# KR043 -
Image# KR044 - The
intersection of Main and Washington Streets, looking east, circa 1905. The Lewis Indian fountain
stands in the intersection. This fountain was erected in 1896 and destroyed in
1923. A reproduction of the statue presently stands on the grounds of the
Octagon House Museum. It was ordered by the city in 1923 and placed in Union Park,
where it stood until 1964.
Image# KR045 - Funeral
procession for Jesse Stone,
Image# KR046 - Jesse Stone
funeral,
Image# KR047 - Mrs. John
(Eliza Forbes) Richards, owner of the Octagon House, sitting in her
conservatory circa 1900, and facing the camera.
Image# KR048 - The Richards
family, in the conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1900. Pictured here are,
(standing left to right) William Thomas, grandson, Mary Alice (Richards) Green;
(seated left to right) Anna (Richards) Thomas, Eliza (Forbes) Richards.
Image# KR049 - Another image
of Jesse Stone’s funeral,
Image# KR050 - Mrs. John
(Eliza Forbes) Richards, owner of the Octagon House, sitting in her
conservatory circa 1900, sitting in profile.
Image# KR051 - Unknown
family seated in front of their home. Is this Watertown? Thought
to be Mrs. Flueter’s home located between Church and
Washington Streets.
Image# KR052 -
Image# KR053 - Arial view
looking east showing the new Rough and Ready Dam along
Image# KR054 - Print showing
Image # KR055 - Main and
Fifth Streets, looking to the east, circa 1905. On the right is the
Wisconsin House Hotel, which was torn down in 1938 to make way for a Pure Oil
gas station. Presently a coffee shop is on this site. The people are unidentified.
Image# KR056 - Party of
observers viewing the new Rough & Ready Dam and power house along
Image# KR057 - Men standing
in front of the skeleton of the newly constructed Rough & Ready Dam,
located along
Image# KR058 - Unidentified
man standing on top of the newly erected power house on
Image# KR059 - Print made
from a damaged negative showing the Rough and Ready Dam along
Image# KR060 - Another view
of the construction of the Rough & Ready Dam along
Image# KR061 - Dam, south of
Image# KR062 - Taken in the
conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905, are the ghostly images of Mr.
and Mrs. C. W. Jones.
Image# KR063 - View of the
Octagon House, circa 1900. Print from a damaged negative. Dark
image.
Image# KR064 - Taken in the
conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905, are some of the grandchildren of
John and Eliza Richards. They are, left to right, Jessie Weber Dunlop and Maude
Green.
Image# KR065 - Dam, south of
Image# KR066 - Railroad bridge below
Image# KR067 - William
Jones, at left, and an unknown friend standing on an ice flow, taken
Image# KR068 - Eliza
Richards, on the right, sitting in the conservatory of the Octagon House, circa
1900, along with her sister, Mrs. Maria (Forbes) Lull.
Image# KR069 - Eliza
Richards, on the right, sitting in the conservatory of the Octagon House, circa
1900, along with her sister, Mrs. Maria (Forbes) Lull.
Image# KR070 - Jones-Kreitzman home located along
Image# KR071 - Taken in the
conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905, are the following: (standing
left to right) Mrs. C.W. Jones, William Thomas; children: Maude Green and
Jessie Weber Dunlop; (seated) Anna (Richards) Thomas.
Image# KR072 - Taken in the
conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905, are the following: (standing
left to right) William Thomas and Mrs. C.W. Jones; children: Jessie Weber
Dunlop, Maude Green; (seated) Anna Thomas.
Image# KR073 - Anna
(Richards) Thomas, seated in the conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905.
Image# KR074 - The funeral
of Jesse Stone,
Image# KR075 - Taken in the
conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905, are some of the grandchildren of
John and Eliza Richards. They are, left to right, Jessie Weber Dunlop and Maude
Green, facing the camera.
Image# KR076 - Men standing
on the Rough and Ready Dam located along
Image# KR077 - View of the
interior of the Arthur Goeldner saloon,
Image# KR078 - Stone
funeral,
Image# KR079 - Constructing
the new Rough & Ready Dam along
Image# KR080 - Construction
on the Rough & Ready Dam along
Image# KR081 - Smiling
family in a carriage on
Image# KR082 - Panoramic
view of
Image# KR083 -
Image# KR084 - Panoramic
view of
Image# KR085 - Print from a
heavily damaged negative showing North Third Street, circa 1902. The street is
undergoing paving in this image.
Image# KR086 - Men watching
the dredging in front of the Rough & Ready Dam, preparatory to re-building
the dam and creating the power-house. Image dates to summer, 1909.
Located along
Image# KR087 - Dam below
Image# KR088 - Fuermann Brewery looking south along east bank of the Rock
River.
The Fuermann home, known as the Annex, can be seen on
the right, below the brewery building. Today this is the site of the Watertown
Fire Department and North First Street Parking Lot. This
image circa 1899.
Image# KR089 - The interior
of the Arthur Goeldner saloon showing men at tables. Circa
1899.
Image # KR090 - Print made
from a damaged negative showing the intersection of Main and Third Streets,
looking west, circa 1905. Note the Deutsches Dorf Saloon. Today this is the Brown Shoe Co.
Image# KR091 - Young boy
about to throw a ball or something in the field just north of the Octagon
House, which can be seen on the right of this image. Damaged
negative. Circa 1900.
Image# KR092 - View from the
east bank of the Rock River looking to the west on
Image# KR093 - Image dated
Image# KR094 - View of
Image# KR095 - Harvest
Carnival floral entry, showing three girls in white along an unknown street,
Sept., 1899.
Image# KR096 - West end of
Image# KR097 - This image
shows Michael Daniel Conley’s saloon, located at
Image# KR098 - Unknown lady
standing on the west side of
Image# KR099 - River view
looking northwest from the vicinity of what is
presently 7-Up Bottling.
Image# KR100 - William Hartig Brewing Co. float as entered in the Harvest
Carnival, Sept. 1899. The man on the far left wearing a hat is thought to be
William Hartig. This image was taken at the
intersection of Jones and North First Streets. The Fuermann
Brewery office can be seen on the far left.
Image# KR101 - Members of
the "Old Dutch Band" rehearsing in the office of the old Fuermann Brewery, circa 1895. Those in the picture
include, (from left to right) William Grossert, Don Harbeck, H. Riemstead, and
William Sergel, the director. The spectators were
(from left to right) Theodore Koerner and William Goecke.
Image# KR102 - Unknown
building under construction, circa 1900. Is this Watertown?
Image# KR103 - Harvest
Carnival, Sept., 1899. The floral entry for Dr. Albert Solliday
and his family can be seen here. This image is taken on
Image# KR104 - Schott Bros.. Saloon,
Image# KR105 - Harvest
Carnival, Sept., 1899. The Jesse Stone family in their floral
carriage. The family carriage house can be seen on the left side of the
image. The Stone home was located at
Image# KR106 - Photo of the
lithograph of a train coming into Watertown over the
Image# KR107 - Flowered
carriage in the Harvest Carnival, Sept., 1899. This is the entry for
"Miss Racek and friends".
Image# KR108 - Tivoli Island
fountain and pavilion, circa 1895.
Image# KR109 - Simon Molzahn saloon, circa 1895. This was located on the
corner of N. Third and East Madison Streets. Today this is the parking lot for
the M & I Bank.
Image# KR110 - Copy of the
1867 Bird’s Eye View of the City of Watertown, copy taken probably about 1905.
Image# KR111 -Flowered
carriage in the Harvest Carnival, held in Sept., 1899. Mayor
Herman Grube and daughter, Zayda
(in dark dress), Jennie Kusel and Jennie Evans.
Taken along
Image# KR112 - Van Camp
Packaging Company under construction along S. Montgomery and West Streets,
circa 1895.
Image# KR113 - Panoramic
shot of Watertown believed to have been taken from the roof of the Wiggenhorn Cigar Factory, circa 1899, showing the
north-east section of the city from
Image# KR114 - High water,
circa 1904, along
Image# KR115 - Harvest
Carnival flowered carriage, Sept., 1899. This was the entry for Mrs. W. D. Sproesser, who can be seen holding the umbrella. The other
ladies are Mrs. Dr. Carl Feld and Mrs. Frank Woodard.
Image# KR116 - Harvest
Carnival, Sept., 1899. Floral carriage entry showing a man
driving an open carriage with three ladies. Unknown street
and riders.
Image# KR117 - Unknown
family in small, dark flowered carriage in the Harvest Carnival, Sept., 1899,
taken along
Image# KR118 - Harvest
Carnival parade, Sept., 1899. This image shows the intersection of Main and First
Streets, looking south. Agnes Chapman, queen of the carnival, can be seen at
the lower left foreground. Note also the employees of the Watertown Daily Times
office, now River Park Properties, in the background.
Image# KR119 - Floral entry
in the Harvest Carnival, Sept., 1899. Unknown street and entry.
Image# KR120 - Harvest
Carnival, Sept., 1899. The float for Woelffer
and Kresensky, taken at the intersection of Jones and
S. First Streets. This float seems to be
advertising some sort of carriage or possibly an early auto manufactured in
Chicago.
Image# KR121 - Mrs. W.D. Sproesser’s entry into the Harvest Carnival, Sept., 1899,
showing Mrs. Sproesser holding the umbrella, Mrs. Dr.
Carl Feld and Mrs. Frank Woodard. The woman standing is
unknown.
Image# KR122 - Mrs. Anna
(Richards) Thomas standing in the conservatory of the Octagon House, circa
1905.
Image# KR123 - Mrs. Anna
(Richards) Thomas sitting in the conservatory of the Octagon House, circa 1905.
Image# KR124 - Damaged and
double exposed negative of the dedication services of the new Masonic Temple in
Sept., 1905.
Today this is Fischer’s Department Store.
Image# KR125 - Free Masons
marching on
Image# KR126 - Knights of
Columbus marching on
Image# KR127 - Rough and
Ready Dam, taken from the east side of the Rock River, looking west. The Octagon House can be
seen in the center background. Circa 1900. Scratched negative.
Image# KR128 - "Old
Club House--S.
Image# KR129 - Wenzel Cech Saloon,
located on the north side of
Image# KR130 - Wooden
building on the corner of Main and S. Sixth Streets, today the parking lot of
the Hafemeister Funeral Home. Image
taken circa 1885.
Image# KR131 - Billiard and
Pool Hall on
Image# KR132 - Jacob Ditschler Saloon, located on the "south west corner of
Main and Second Streets", circa 1885. This building was constructed by
Charles Noak in 1868. Originally on this site was the
very first store in Watertown, opened in 1841 by John and Luther Cole. Note
also the opening to the right with steps leading up to C. W. Rundlett’s photo studio and also to F. B. Tuttle’s law
office. On the far right side of the image can be seen a portion of the Heismann Grocery Store. Today this building houses the John
and Hellekson Realty Offices,
Image# KR133 - Unknown
boarding house, possibly once located on
Image# KR134 - The H. J.
Strauss boot and shoe shop and office of the Watertown Republican, circa 1890. This building was located
on the north side of
Image# KR135 - The Charles
Piper harness shop, circa 1890. This was located at
Image# KR136 - William Cruez saloon,
Image# KR137 - Charles Wegemann’s East Side Market, located at
Image# KR138 - The
intersection of Main and First Streets looking east. This image was taken
Image# KR139 - Interior of
the Max Wegemann and John Strauss dry goods store,
circa 1895.
Today this is the Community Action Coalition, located at
Image# KR140 - Henry Daub’s
saloon and Hotel Garni. Henry Daub can be seen in
the door-way. He was a nephew of Watertown brewer August Fuermann.
This building stood on the north side of
Image# KR141 - The W. J. Lee
Bathing Saloon, located just east of the
Image# KR142 - Platz and Brandt General Store, circa 1895. This is today Froggy’s Bar, located at
Image# KR143 - C. Krueger
and Son, marble and stone works, believed to have been located at 211 Market
Streets. Today this is a parking lot. This image dates to about 1890.
Image# KR144 - Kramer Bros.
cigar factory.
Emil and Oswald Kramer were the owners and this image shows their building
located at what is today
Image# KR145 - William Krebs
grocery store and saloon, located on the south west corner of Sixth and Main
Streets, circa 1890. Today this is the site of the parking lot for the Chamber
of Commerce building at
Image# KR146 - Stereo view
of J. W. Ganes Music House, circa 1880. This is presently the site
of Sandra D’s Bridal Boutique, located on the south side of
Image# KR147 - This image
shows
Image# KR148 - Duplicate
print of "The Fair". Dry goods store owned by W. F. Gruetzmacher
located at
Image# KR149 - Print from a
damaged negative showing a view of
Image# KR150 - Germania
House, circa 1890.
This was the first hotel built in Watertown in 1840, the Exchange Hotel. It was
located on the corner of N. First and Main Streets and in 1891 it was moved to
its present location, on the corner of S. First and Milwaukee
Streets. Today this is the M & M Bar. This is the oldest building in
the city.
Image# KR151 - View of the
1885 Saengerfest or singing festival held in
Watertown. This shows the arch on
Image# KR152 - Stereo view
of the March, 1881, snowstorm showing
Image# KR153 - Stereo view
of the 1885 Saengerfest or singing festival held in
Watertown. This shows the arch on
Image# KR154 - Stereo view
of the intersection of Main and First Streets looking east. Note the dirt roads and the
pine arches on
Image# KR155 - Stereo view
of the March, 1881, snowstorm, taken from the upper story of the present Bismark’s, located on the south side of
Image# KR156 - Demolition of
the old Methodist Church located on the corner of Fifth and Main Streets in
1908. This was razed to make way for the "new" Methodist Church, a
brick edifice, which stood on this site until the late 1970s
when it was razed to build a bank, Bank One.
Image# KR157 - August Fuermann Brewery employees, circa 1890. They are, reading from left
to right, bottom row: Albert Stuhlmacher, Mr. Behnke, William Luther, Gerhard Fuermann,
Ferdinand Grossert, Charles Fuermann,
Julius Doerr and Henry Rutz.
Second row--Fritz Lange, Mr. Fleuter, August Kleck Jr., Theodore Wiese, Fritz Prey, William Buchholz,
Mr. Forncrook (veterinarian); top row--August
Erdmann, Herman Stuhlmacher, Albert Neitzel, August Kleck Sr., Pat Tietz and Mr. Lattamer.
Image# KR158 - Employees of
the Hartig and Manz
Brewery, circa 1890. Seated in the front are William Hartig
on the left, and Charles Manz
(with beard, wearing cap) on the right.
Image# KR159 - The August Fuermann Brewery Office on
Image# KR160 - The Richards
family at dinner in the Octagon House, circa 1901. Seated left to right: Mrs.
George Bott (?), William Thomas, Emma (Bott) Thomas, Mary Alice (Richards) Green, Anna (Richards)
Thomas, Mrs. Moses Richards, Eliza Richards, Sadie
Jones.
Image# KR161 - Unknown woman
sitting on the east side of the city dam, located below
Order form for 8 x 10 prints of
above images
Cost is $25 each, plus $5 shipping/handing per order
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