To spot the Paddock Arcade, look straight ahead for a long corridor lined with glass-fronted shops and a high, arched ceiling made of glass panels that let the daylight flood in above you.
Welcome to the legendary Paddock Arcade-where shopping history has a glass roof and a remarkable sense of style! Stretching right before your eyes, this architectural wonder has stood proud since 1850, making it one of the oldest covered shopping malls in the entire country. Imagine the scene when Loveland Paddock decided Watertown needed a dash of European flair, and with the help of architect Otis Wheelock, brought this Gothic beauty to life, topped with a glittering glass canopy. Back then, this spot wasn't just for picking up a new hat-shoppers rubbed elbows with office workers situated above the bustling ground-floor shops.
Even as fashion and fads changed, the arcade kept adjusting its look. In the 1920s, the owners gave the interior a serious makeover, saying goodbye to the original Gothic gloom and hello to a brighter, twice-as-modern vibe. The new steel-and-wire-glass ceiling filtered in sunlight, making rainy days just a bit cheerier. Over time, part of the adjoining Paddock Building was removed to make room for-you guessed it-the six-story Woolworth Building next door. There was never a dull moment on Public Square.
Today, the Paddock Arcade is still alive with the buzz of shops, cafes, and even the occasional tattoo needle. If you’re lucky, you might wander past the scent of fresh coffee, hear laughter floating out of a hair salon, or maybe someone’s testing out a karate move upstairs. Local businesses are thriving, and every autumn, the arcade hosts the city's favorite farmers’ market.
So, standing here, you’re not just shopping-you’re taking part in over 170 years of Watertown tradition, where every step down these old tiles might just give you a new story to share.
