Description:The American Hotel (originally The Waterloo and American Hotel) pictured on Waterloo Road. It was constructed between 1823 and 1832. The building is rectangular in plan with a turret projection. It is two rooms wide by two rooms deep with a cellar and projection at the rear. On the left number 146 Waterloo Road was originally part of The American but now is separate accommodation. There is a yard to the rear of the building with access to Commercial Street.
The "American" part of the name dates from the 1840s when emigration to North America (The New World) was becoming popular in The Potteries. It was advertised in 1836 as having: "Commercial-room and large dining-room to the front; back parlour, roomy entrance, bar, an elegant drawing room, an excellent parlour for private parties, and the bed rooms are airy and commodious. Stabling for 12 or 15 horses".
On the extreme left there is a glimpse of a house later demolished and on the right the house remains (2023) although it was later converted into a Funeral Directors business. The car in the centre is a Peugeot 304 and there is a Vauxhall Chevette on the right.
The American still stands on Waterloo Road; however, it closed as a public house in 2000.