Program

NYS Historic

Subject

House, Industry & Commerce, People, Site

Location

211 Commercial St, Theresa, NY, USA

Lat/Long

44.2145831, -75.7975505

Grant Recipient

Town of Theresa

Around 1860, William D. Chapman (ca. 1819-1909) established W.D. Chapman & Sons in the town of Theresa in Jefferson County, New York. W.D. Chapman & Sons manufactured and sold a variety of fishing lures and baits, designed and patented by Mr. Chapman, who lived in an octagonal house adjacent to his business.

Mr. Chapman had been trained as a carpenter, and then served as a steamboat captain for some time, before developing a watch and jewelry business. Eventually, Mr. Chapman invented his own artificial fishing bait and established his business making and selling fishing tackle. According to a July 6, 1909 Watertown Daily Times article published in celebration of Mr. Chapman being the “oldest living resident born in the town of Theresa,” his fishing tackle business grew to great success, with his products being sold throughout the country and Canada. He employed five salesmen with his manufacturing center established in Theresa, where the fishing tackle was made.

On April 9, 1890, the Watertown Re-Union reported on “one of the most destructive fires” to have ever occurred in Jefferson County. The paper noted that over $150,000 worth of property was destroyed, as the “entire business part of the village [was] wiped out.” The April 12, 1890 edition of the Watertown Herald noted that all businesses in the town were destroyed, with the exception of one saloon and a hotel. In total, sixty buildings burned to the ground, including the W.D. Chapman & Sons building. It was not known what caused the fire, but no lives were lost or serious injuries occurred.

The April 16, 1890 edition of the Watertown Re-Union reported that W.D. Chapman & Sons did not plan to rebuild their Theresa building after the devastating fire. The fishing tackle business was eventually relocated to the city of Rochester. Mr. Chapman’s octagon-shaped home in Theresa survived the fire, and he continued living and working here, returning to the watch and jewelry business. As of 2022, his octagonal house continues to stand on Commercial Street in Theresa.