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American House
West Water Street [now South Water]
“Located at the corner of Water and Emmet streets”
Watertown City Directory, 1899-1900
1847
American House ad, Watertown Chronicle,
06 30 1847
1848
Residents of Watertown held a "plank road ball" in the American House in February of 1848.
1859 St. Patrick's Day celebration
1864
03 31 We learn that Mr. Joseph Lindon has purchased the property on the west side of the river known as the American House, formerly owned by Mr. Peter Rogan and by him used as a tavern some years since. It is the intention of Mr. Lindon to repair and overhaul the old building, raise it up several feet, and fit it up for a first class hotel and occupy if for that purpose. It is conveniently situated on West Avenue [West Main St.], near the central and business part of the city and no doubt, under Mr. Lindon’s management, become paying property. WD
1876
01 05 A.
D. HITCHKOCK
The proprietor of the American House, will formally open the house next Friday evening with a Social Party. WR
1879
07 03 REMODELED
The American House, on West Water Street is being remodeled by Jerry Burke. The roof is to be raised about eight feet. Other improvements are to be made which, when completed, will make the house attractive and home-like. WD
07 24 IMPROVEMENTS
The American House, on West Water Street, is being enlarged and improved in many respects. One or two additions are being built, and the roof of the main structure has been raised one story higher. When the work of remodeling is finished, this hotel will be a convenient and pleasant place to stop at. WD
1889
11 08 Mr. Michael Owens died at the home of his son in Eau Claire on Friday of last week. He formerly lived in Watertown and was one of the best known and most highly respected pioneers of that place. He was for many years the proprietor of the American House, now owned and run by Mr. Christopher Smith. The news of Mr. Owens death is sad to many of the old settlers of Watertown, who knew him in the prime of life. Juneau Tel
Cross Reference:
Christopher Smith, 1909, 216 W Main, saloon
1895
12 11 AMERICAN HOUSE PROPERTY SOLD
Last
Thursday Christopher Smith sold the American House property, located at the
corner of Water and Emmet streets, to James Spear, the consideration being
$6,000. The real estate comprises
one-quarter block, the frame hotel, brick barn and other buildings. In the sale are also included the hotel
furniture, ’bus line, etc. Mr. Spear,
who has been conducting a restaurant on West Main Street, will take possession
of the hotel at once and become its landlord.
It is one of the old-established hostelries of the city, enjoying a
profitable trade. After years of service
as "mine host,” Mr. Smith will retire to private life with his
family. They will for the present occupy
the R. Lewis residence at 400 North Church Street. WR
1901
04 05 BALLOT BOX MISSING
When
the Third Ward polls were opened on election day and ready for business, it was
found that the ballot box which had been delivered at the polling place at the
American House the night previous was missing.
A box was quickly constructed, however, and the voting went merrily on
without any further interference. About
10 o’clock that morning the missing box was found in a back room of the third
story of the hotel, supposed that a guest at the hotel hid the box thinking it
was a good April Fool joke. WG
1909
05 21 Sold by Spear to Merriman; leased by
William Cooper WG
10
08 NEW
HOTEL PROPRIETOR
Joseph Blouin of Fall River, Mass., has
purchased the hotel furniture and good will of the American House of William
Cooper and has taken possession of the same.
He is a brother-in-law of J. T. Heon, proprietor of the Northwestern
Hotel, and comes to our city well recommended as a hotel man and good
citizen. WG
c.1910
-- -- DISTANT VIEW OF
1911
05 25 ROBBED
A BLIND MAN
Friday evening a
blind man arrived in this city from Richland Center and put up at the American House. He was met by a man at the hotel who
pretended to know him, and they went to a room together. Shortly after the stranger left the hotel,
saying the blind man was asleep and that he would return later for
lodging. The stranger did not return and
when the blind man awoke he found that he had been robbed of $30 in cash, a
certificate of deposit on a Richland Center bank and a new overcoat. The fellow who is accused of the robbery was
only a short time in the city and expected to go to work Saturday digging gas
trenches here. WG
1913 118-120 S. Water, Boarding House
1915
03 25 AMERICAN HOUSE TORN DOWN
The American House at the corner of Water and Lafayette streets was torn down this week by Jas. D. Casey, who recently purchased the property. The hotel was built in 1849 by the late Michael Owens, who conducted it for many years. WG
11 11 J. D. Casey is breaking ground for a new automobile garage on his property in Water Street, north of the site formerly occupied by the American House. The building will be fireproof, one story, and will have a frontage of 80 feet and a depth of 60 feet. Mr. Casey has the local agency for Maxwell automobiles and other cars. WG
History of Watertown, Wisconsin