The American House Hotel

The American House Hotel. . , The American House Hotel opened ca. 1865 by William B. Smith in what was originally a private residence. After Smith’s death, his wife operated it through 1867 until selling to Col. Adams T. Peirce and L.P. True. By 1878, Peirce and True, incorporated as the A.T. Peirce Co., added a new partner, Thomas K. Cushman, as well as the annex building, principally to accommodate the ex-mayor Dr. James Lothrop and his wife who lived at the hotel for many years., Col. Peirce eventually moved to Fall River, MA to open the Narragansett Hotel, but the A.T. Peirce Company continued to own the American House Hotel and the adjacent livery stables in Dover until Peirce's death, at age 76, in 1910 and later, Cushman's death, at age 75, in 1914., On October 23, 1912, thousands gathered in front of the American House's porch to hear a short speech by President William Howard Taft. The president was on a pleasure trip to Poland Springs, ME and stopped in Dover to greet loyal Republicans and over 2000 schoolchildren who were given the day off from school for the occasion. Thirty boy cadets from St. Charles School, in full military uniform, lined the steps of the American House to greet the president., Modern amenities such as electric lights, steam heat and baths; garage facilities, and a telephone in each room attracted motorists and business men. Around 1920, the hotel closed for a time and then re-opened in 1924 as the "attractive and home-like" New American House. New owner William E. Wiggin offered both American and European plans and livery services featuring "heavy and long distance hauling.", Mrs. Madeline T. Reynolds took over by 1933 and advertised rooms "newly decorated and renovated throughout." The livery stable was permanently closed and a new Grill Room opened and was promoted as a "Licensed Liquor Dispenser." Rooms were $1.50 per night., In 1938, the Dover Hotel Company, Inc. took over management of the American House. Called "NH's Distinctive Place to Dine" and "the leading hotel in a progressive city," the premises were nonetheless sold again in 1950 to Robert J. Smith, the last owner. Smith's ads listed 75 rooms, 50 baths, and a lovely Crystal Dining Room. In the late 50s, a coffee shop was added., By 1966, the American House, a Dover fixture for a century, was torn down and replaced by a modern motel, the Imperial, in 1968. By 1970, it was known as the In-Towne, and most recently became part of the Days Inn national chain in 1990.