American House block in Amherst

Image

AmericanHouseBlock.jpg

Title

American House block in Amherst

Subject

Amherst (Mass.)

Description

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.

Creator

Scott, Edgar T., 1858-1940

Publisher

Jones Library Special Collections

Date

1909-08

Rights

This digital file may be used for educational uses, as long as it is not altered in any way. Prior written permission is required for any other use of the digital files from the Jones Library.

Format

image/jpg

Language

English

Type

Photographs

Identifier

SCO103

Original Format

Photograph

Physical Dimensions

5 x 7 in.

Citation

Scott, Edgar T., 1858-1940, “American House block in Amherst,” Digital Amherst, accessed March 28, 2024, https://www.digitalamherst.org/items/show/902.