Paddock Arcade

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Paddock Arcade

| nrhp_type =

| image = Paddock Arcade.jpg

| caption = Paddock Arcade

| coordinates = {{coord|43|58|25|N|75|54|40.5|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = New York#USA

| location = Washington St. between Arsenal and Stone Sts., Watertown, New York

| built = 1850

| architect = Otis Wheelock

| architecture = Gothic Revival

| added = June 15, 1976

| area = less than one acre

| refnum = 76001224{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

}}

The Paddock Arcade is a 19th-century shopping mall located in Watertown, New York. Built in 1850, it is the second oldest covered shopping mall in the United States.{{Cite web|last=Semento|first=Kristen|title=The Paddock Arcade - The Oldest Continually-operated Mall in America|url=http://upstatehistorical.org/items/show/69|access-date=2022-02-18|website=UpstateHistorical|language=en}} Since it has seen uninterrupted use after opening in 1850, it carries the distinction of being the country's oldest, continuously operating enclosed shopping mall.{{cite web| url = https://cris.parks.ny.gov/| title = Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)| publisher = New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation| format = Searchable database| accessdate = 2015-11-01| archive-url = https://archive.today/20150701003048/http://cris.parks.ny.gov/| archive-date = 2015-07-01| url-status = dead}} Note: This includes {{cite web| url = https://cris.parks.ny.gov/Uploads/ViewDoc.aspx?mode=A&id=29491&q=false| title = National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Paddock Arcade| accessdate = 2015-11-01| author = Junia Fitch and Cornelia E. Brooke| format = PDF| date = October 1975}} and [https://cris.parks.ny.gov/Uploads/ViewDoc.aspx?mode=A&id=29491&q=false Accompanying photographs]{{rp|3–5}} The Paddock Arcade was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Location and architecture

Image:Arcade 1909.JPG

At No. 1 Public Square, the arcade remains the benchmark structure in Watertown's historic downtown district. The structure runs perpendicular to the adjoining Paddock Building. The arcade was built in the Gothic style, topped with a glass roof that allowed daylight to filter through. The Paddock Building contains a 19th-century Italianate facade.

History

The arcade was built by Watertown native Loveland Paddock and designed by architect Otis Wheelock. It was based on similar arcades built during that era in the United States and Europe. Shops occupied the bottom floor, while the upper floors were used for office space.

In about 1916, a large section of the Paddock Building was demolished to make way for the six-story Woolworth Building. In the 1920s, arcade owners put forth a major redesign of the arcade, eschewing its original Gothic interior with a more modern design, which included the installation of the current translucent, steel-and-wire-glass dropped ceiling between its second and third stories. This ceiling still allowed light to filter in from the arcade's glass roof.

Today

Image:Downtown Watertown.jpg

The arcade still functions as a shopping and business center in Watertown's downtown district. In recent years, structural and aesthetic improvements, coupled with new businesses are helping to guarantee the arcade's future. The arcade is the current (2024) home to Planned Parenthood, Johnny D's Casual Dining, Paddock Club Tavern, O-HO Boba Tea, CaffeineHolic, Paddock Arts & Antiques, Laborer's Local 1822, Kellogg & Kellogg LLP, Yoga House, American Kang Duk Wan Karate Assoc., Inked Arches, The Speakeasy Hair Salon, Anbu Tattoo, Vito's Gourmet.[http://www.mallsandstores.info/new-york---ny/1274-paddock-arcade.html Malls and Stores.info] In 2007, it was announced that the arcade would be host to Watertown's popular farmers' market for its extended fall season.

References

External links

[http://www.citywatertown.org City of Watertown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815075444/http://www.citywatertown.org/ |date=2004-08-15 }}
[http://www.wheelockgenealogy.com/wheelockweb/pages/OtisLeonardWheelock.htm Otis Wheelock]
[http://www.publicsquare.com Watertown Downtown Business Association]
[https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm Official Website National Register of Historic Places]
[http://www.wwnytv.net/72k/new-full-story.asp?uid=15352&area=home+page Farmers Market Moves To Arcade]

Category:Shopping malls established in 1850

Category:Shopping malls in New York (state)

Category:Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)

Category:Tourist attractions in Jefferson County, New York

Category:Shopping arcades in the United States

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson County, New York

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Watertown, New York