This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website

Racek Building

204-206 Main Street

The building located at 204-206 Main Street was constructed in 1853. It was once known as the Theodore Racek Building. It began as a saloon, but has had a long history as a drug store. It later became the Busse/Aurora Pharmacy.

Originally, the store featured a multi-bay storefront with corbelled brick cornice and arched windows. It remained so through the occupancy of Theodore Racek, J. Schubert Drug Store, Eberle Drug Store and William Weber Hardware Store. The original cream brick is evident in the upper story and rear of the building. Sometime in the early 20th century, a remodeling was done, producing the current facade which features stone and a full length canopy.

This change renders the building ineligible for historic designation in spite of its long and varied history as a retail establishment.

Theodore Racek

1860 Civil War token, (1 of 2), [head]

1860 Civil War token, (1 of 2), [tail]

1860 Civil War token, (2 of 2), [tail]

1860 Civil War token, (2 of 2), [head]

Gustav Eberle

1826 - 1898

Derived from: The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin by C. W. Butterfield, 1879

Gustav Eberle, druggist; born in Greenland Nov. 4, 1826. He is a son of a missionary who was in that northern country for over forty years. Gustav was educated in Germany and came from there to America in 1850; resided in the East until 1853.

When he came to Watertown, arriving here May 11; he was engaged in carrying on a soap and candle manufactory here until 1873; he then engaged in the drug business with his son, Hermann T., who is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.

Mr. Gustav Eberle was married, Dec. 23, 1851, to Mary Kaltenbrunnen; she was born in Germany; they have five children living – Hermann T., Emily, Eugene, Bertha and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Eberle are members of the Moravian Church.

Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.