Wight And Comes Funeral Chapel In Watertown

Hey there, ever wondered about that old, kinda spooky-looking building on the corner of Franklin and Jones in Watertown?

Yeah, you know the one - the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel. It's been there for ages, and it's got this certain... je ne sais quoi, you know? Let's dive in, shall we? Grab a coffee, get comfy, and let's chat about this place like we're old pals.

So, who are these Wight & Comes folks anyway?

Well, buckle up, 'cause we're going way back. The story starts in the 1800s with a guy named Henry Wight. Now, Henry was a bit of an entrepreneur - he was a coffin maker, a furniture maker, and even a undertaker. Talk about a multitasker, right?

Fast forward a few decades, and we meet his partner, Charles Comes. Charles was a cabinetmaker too, and together, they formed the dynamic duo we now know as Wight & Comes. They started out in a little shop on Main Street, but hey, you can't stay small forever when you're that talented.

Alright, so how did we get to that big, fancy building?

Patience, grasshopper. In the late 1800s, the duo decided they needed a bigger space. So, they built a new home for their business on Franklin Street. But this wasn't just any old building - it was a masterpiece designed by a guy named Louis Comfort Tiffany. You know, the guy who made those fancy stained glass windows and lamps. Fancy, huh?

But wait, there's more! In 1912, they decided to add a chapel to the building. And not just any chapel - one with a beautiful, hand-painted ceiling and stained glass windows that'd make even the grumpiest of folks smile. It's like they said, "Hey, if we're gonna do this, let's do it right."

Wight Comes Sogn Funeral Chapel Watertown, South Dakota

Okay, okay, but what makes this place so cool?

Well, aside from the fact that it's been around for, like, forever, there's something else that sets this place apart. It's the fact that it's still a family business. Yep, you heard it right. The Wight & Comes family has been running this place for, get this, six generations. That's like, what, 150 years? Insane, right?

And get this - the current owner, a guy named Todd Wight (yes, that's his real name), is the great-great-grandson of Henry Wight. Talk about a family legacy. It's like the funeral home version of that movie "Chef" where the guy passes down his food truck to his son. Except, you know, with coffins instead of empanadas.

Wight Comes Sogn Funeral Chapel Watertown, South Dakota

But what's it like inside? Is it all doom and gloom?

Nah, man, it's not like that at all. Sure, it's a funeral home, and yeah, it can get a little somber sometimes. But it's also a place filled with history and stories. It's like a museum, but with a lot more... intimacy. Plus, Todd and his team make sure it's always welcoming and comfortable. It's like they say, "Come for the history, stay for the... well, you know."

So, should I go check it out?

Heck yeah, you should! It's not every day you get to step into a piece of history like this. Plus, who knows? You might just learn a thing or two about Watertown's past. Just remember, no touching the coffins. Todd gets a little grumpy about that.

And there you have it, folks. The Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel - Watertown's oldest business, and one heck of a cool place to visit. So, next time you're in the neighborhood, swing by, take a look, and tip your hat to Henry, Charles, and the rest of the Wight & Comes crew. They've earned it.