website watertownhistory.org
ebook History
of Watertown, Wisconsin
Sharp Corner
Sharp Corner Saloon / Tavern /
Inn
823 East Main
1894
09 19 OPENING OF THE
“KARLSRUHE”
The “Karlsruhe,” the
handsome new saloon and restaurant at the “Sharp Corner” (Main Street and
College Avenue, 823 East Main Street), was formally opened to the public
Saturday evening. There was a constant
coming and going of patrons during the evening, and all were provided with an
excellent luncheon of German cookery free of charge.
In all its appointments, the “Karlsruhe” is one of the
neatest, most highly finished and best arranged resorts in the city, and it is
sure to attract a large patronage.
There are wine-rooms, card rooms and toilet rooms in
connection. Charles Raabe is the
accommodating proprietor.
The building was erected by William Hartig, of Hartig
& Manz. The Watertown News, 09 19 1894
09 21 SHARP
CORNER SALOON
Charles
Raabe is now fully prepared to serve his many customers in fine style in his
new quarters at 823 Main Street, formerly known as the “Sharp Corner." One of the finest business spots in the city
has just been erected on that corner, and it is finished and arranged in fine
style. Mr. Raabe occupies the entire
building for residence and saloon purposes.
The bar room proper is large, well ventilated and lighted, and presents
a most inviting appearance, with its elegant metallic ceiling, hard wood and tile
flooring, elegant bar fixtures, etc. In
the rear of the bar room is a nicely finished card room, and to the right a
finely furnished room, in which refreshments are served to ladies. The building contains fine toilet rooms for
ladies and gents, and many other accommodations not to be found in any other
resort in the city. WG
12 05 An amusing sight last Wednesday evening
was the march through the mud of Main Street, from the "Sharp Corner"
to the post office and return, by three men, to the melodious music of a bass
drum pounded by one of them. The march
was made on a wager, and proved to be a good drawing card for Charles Raabe's
"Karlsruhe." WR
1899
07 04 R. S. KEEL
BECOMES PROPRIETOR
R. S. Keel, the well-known old ball
player, has moved here from Waterloo and is proprietor of the saloon and
restaurant at the “sharp corner.”
03 27 MURALS
AT THE SHARP CORNER CAFE
“Jumbo” Keels’ cafe at the “Sharp Corner” presents a
most attractive appearance with the numerous oil paintings which adorn the
walls. The work was done by Artist Henry
Schaller and is very creditable. WR
1928
INTERIOR VIEW
OF
Owner Frank Fries, Sr, Frank
Fries, Jr, Paul Behlke, bartender Ole Schultz, Pat Riley.
SHARP CORNER
TAVERN, CHARLES HARTMAN, PROP.
01 01 
New Year’s 1946
Ken Bornitzke,
signal man, C M & St Paul Railroad, roomed at 410 College Ave.
c.1952
-- -- STEIN CLUB AT THE SHARP CORNER
Members
of the Stein Club pose for a picture during a Stein Club party at Sharp
Corner.
The
club was open to the public and met once or twice a week.
Mike Bentzin, a salesman, Emily Schultz, a club member, Scott Bentzin, Jim Schultz and another club member. Johnny Miller in front
1963
07 01 SHARP CORNER TAVERN
The
Sharp Corner Tavern, one of Watertown’s oldest and most widely known
establishments, today changed hands, having been purchased by Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond J. [Bernetta] Coughlin of 813 Main Street. Mr. and Mrs. Coughlin are the former owners
of the R. J. Coughlin Sod Company of Watertown which has been purchased by
Warren Neeman of 208 Oak Hill Court, Watertown, who is now operating the sod
business. WDT
1966
07 20 OTTO’S INN TAKEN OVER BY FOSTER PAGEL
Foster
Pagel, operator of the Sharp Corner Tavern and before that manager of the
Bowl-'A-Fun, today assumed the operation of the famed dining spot Otto’s Inn, including the tavern, the dining room and
kitchen. Mr. Pagel will continue to
operate the Sharp Corner Tavern also until the first of the year.
c.1968
Sharp
Corner Inn was owned by R. J. & Bernetta Coughlin from July 1, 1963 until
1975.
2020
-- -- SHARP
CORNER PARK
Cross References:
Emily and Clarence Schultz operated
the former Sharp Corner Inn in Watertown
LaVerne Ziebell
(1930-1915), had been employed as a cook at the Sharp Corner restaurant
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin