This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
Main Café
103 E Main
1954 WHS_005_727
1934
12 07 Fire
Damages Evans Block. The Evans Block
[101, 103 and 105 E Main], a three story structure housing the Princess Confectionery
and the Main Cafe, as well as living quarters was swept by fire last Saturday
morning, 12/1/34 to such an extent that the eastern half of the building will
have to be almost completely reconstructed . . . With the burning of the store
buildings which house the Main Cafe and the Princess Confectionery, many people
have begun to wonder when the building was erected. No exact date has been recorded, but several
of the older residents of Watertown have given information to help make the
matter clear.
Many years ago the
three buildings which now house the Waugh Pharmacy, the Main Cafe and the
Princess, were occupied by the Robinson House [Planters], a prominent and
up-to-date hotel of its time. This hotel
was a large frame building of good architectural structure with balconies
around the side and front of the building and a large-cupola on top. One of the main features of the hotel was the
fountain saloon which was located in the basement. In the center of the saloon was an artesian
well which furnished running water constantly.
This fountain saloon can be well remembered by people who lived in
Watertown at that time as it was a popular gathering place. Besides the basement and main floor there
were three floors which were used as bedroom space. On the 4th floor of the building was an iron
door which connected the hotel with the Schwab building [107-109 E Main] now
occupied by the Scott Store. Following
the fire which burned the hotel to the ground 67 years ago [65 yrs ago, 1869 is
correct], the present buildings were erected.
The corner building built by F. P. Brooks, was first used as the post
office, while the other two stores were the M. A. Kirsch General Store. These stores have changed hands several times
since they were erected. The corner
building was occupied by Gamm's Drug Store and
later by the Behlke Drug Company. The other- two were occupied by various
establishments. WTribune
1944
1957
1957c, Main Cafe, 1950s-70s city
assessor form, WHS_006_011a
1957c, Main Cafe, 1950s-70s city assessor
image, WHS_006_011b
1962
10 02 One of Watertown’s old business
establishments, a one-time widely known eating place, has reopened for business
under its original name — the Main Cafe.
In recent years it had other names, but the new owners and operators,
Chester and Dora Marquard, have reopened it under the
name of the Main Cafe. The place opened
its doors on Tuesday and has enjoyed a generous patronage since then. It opened without fanfare and after some
extensive changes and improvements. Mrs.
Dora Marquard is actively managing the place. She said today that “good home cooking” is
her aim. Dinners and short orders are
the policy.
