American House block in Amherst

American House block in Amherst

Amherst (Mass.)

This structure was built on the site where Noah Webster's house was located during the time he spent in Amherst writing his dictionary (1812-1822). It was built as the Hygeian Hotel. This statement was printed in the Springfield Republican edition of January 15, 1853: "There is a spring in the cellar of the Hygeian Hotel, Amherst, very strongly impregnated with iron, combined with sulfur and magnesia. The flow of water is abundant and unfailing."

The Hygeian Hotel was renamed the American House Hotel in June of 1854 (Springfield Republican, June 21, 1854). After 1868, it became a business block only, though still called the American House. It was demolished in 1909 to make way for the Lincoln Building.

This photograph shows the building in dilapidated condition shortly before it was demolished.

Scott, Edgar T., 1858-1940

Jones Library Special Collections

1909-08

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image/jpg

English

Photographs

SCO103

Photograph

5 x 7 in.