Photographs of Watertown Through History

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Dividing Line

The First Half Century, 1856—End of the Century

Justus Farm Swede Lake 1856

Justus Farm, Swede Lake, 1856


Mud Lake School 1868

Mud Lake School, 1868


Bird’s Eye View, 1877

Bird’s Eye View, 1877


Fire Dept Pumper 1879

Fire Department Pumper, 1879


First Hearse 1890

First Hearse, 1890


Territorial Bridge over the Crow River, probably 1890s

Territorial Street Bridge over the Crow River, probably 1890s


Declaration Day (Independence Day) undated, about 1900

Declaration Day (Independence Day) undated, about 1890


High Water on the Crow River, 1894

High Water on the Crow River, 1894


Street Scene  on Lewis Avenue, Early 1900s

Street Scene on Lewis Avenue, Late 1890s


Dividing Line

First Half of the 20th Century

First Car 1900

First Car, 1900


Zeyers Hotel, wood, pre-1904

Zeyers Hotel on Lewis Avenue, east side. Destroyed by fire in 1904.


Cottage Hospital, 1905

Cottage Hospital, 1905/Westminster Avenue & White Street


Livery Barn and Early Auto

Livery Barn and Early Autos, Lewis Avenue & Territorial Street


District 61 School, 1907

District 61 School, 1907


Watertown Ladies Band, 1908

Watertown Ladies Band, 1908


Memorial Day Parade, 1913

Memorial Day Parade down Lewis Avenue, 1913


February 1915—First train on Luce Line Railroad through Watertown

February 1915—First train on Luce Line Railroad through Watertown

The Luce Electric Line

The Luce Electric Line

Carver County Independent Football Team 1924

Carver County Independent Football Team, 1924


Watertown Fire Department 1925

Watertown Fire Department, 1925


Minnesota Valley Canning 1927

Minnesota Valley Canning, after 1927. Became part of Green Giant.


Trinity Lutheran Church pre 1948

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1890-1948. Destroyed by Fire June 7, 1948.


1948—Lewis Avenue at Madison Street looking North

1948—Lewis Avenue at Madison Street Looking North

1949—Lewis Avenue Looking North

1949—Lewis Avenue Looking North


1950—Immaculate Conception Church / Corner of Angel Avenue and Territorial Street

1950—Immaculate Conception Church / Corner of Angel Avenue and Territorial Street


1953—Evangelical Free Church / State Street & Angel Avenue

1953—Evangelical Free Church / State Street & Angel Avenue


 
Dividing Line

1960s—present

1967— Watertown High School / Highway 25

1967— Watertown High School / Highway 25


1968—Watertown Elementary School / State Street NW

1968—Watertown Elementary School / State Street NW


1969—Immaculate Conception Church / Territorial Street & Westminster Avenue

1969—Immaculate Conception Church / Territorial Street & Westminster Avenue


St. Paul’s Lutheran Church / Westminster Avenue

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church / Westminster Avenue


1972—Lewis Avenue Looking Sorth

1971—Lewis Avenue Looking South


1972—Lewis Avenue Looking North

1972—Lewis Avenue Looking North


1973—Trinity Lutheran Church - Newton Avenue & Madison Street

1973—Trinity Lutheran Church - Newton Avenue & Madison Street


1977—Dedication of Rick Johnson Memorial Park

1977—Dedication of Rick Johnson Memorial Park


  
2007—Trinity Lutheran Church / Newton Avenue & Madison Street

2007—Trinity Lutheran Church / Newton Avenue & Madison Street


2007—Immaculate Conception Church / Territorial Street & Westminster Avenue

2007—Immaculate Conception Church / Territorial Street & Westminster Avenue


2007—Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church / Westminster Avenue & Fremont Street

2007—Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church / Westminster Avenue & Fremont Street


2007—Watertown Evangelical Free Church / Highway 25

2007—Watertown Evangelical Free Church / Highway 25


2007—Tower Apartments / State Street & Angel Avenue NW

2007—Tower Apartments / State Street & Angel Avenue NW


2007—Watertown Primary School / State Street NW

2007—Watertown Primary School / State Street NW


2007—New Watertown-Mayer Elementary School / Paul Avenue

2007—New Watertown-Mayer Elementary School / Paul Avenue


2007—Watertown-Mayer Middle School / Highway 25

2007—Watertown-Mayer Middle School / Highway 25


2007—Watertown-Mayer Middle School / Highway 25

2007—Watertown-Mayer Middle School / Highway 25


2007—Watertown-Mayer High School / Highway 25

2007—Watertown-Mayer High School / Highway 25


  

  

Civil War Research Link

Our theme for 2011's Rail to Trails festival was a tribute to Watertown soldiers who fought in the Civil War. If you would like to do more research on your own, the Civil War "Soldiers and Sailors Database", maintained by the National Park Service, is a good place to find more information.