Gordon, Jervis, Grist Mill Historic District
Why it's listed
On the Sawkill Creek at Milford, this complex centres on a grist mill whose original 1882 two-storey frame building was rebuilt after a fire and fitted with a 24 horsepower turbine. A 1904 water wheel by the Rowe brothers and a machine shop added c. 1908 extended the power system, and much of the turbine, shafting, elevator machinery and belt drives remain in place. The dam, mill pond and raceways that feed the wheel survive intact. Nearby stand a blacksmith shop of about 1860-1870 serving local farmers and a miller's house with late eighteenth-century origins. Milford was named for its mills, and this is the only one where the water power and milling equipment remain together. The site shows how small rural enterprises were powered and operated until the mid-twentieth century.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · catalog entry. Generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29).
| Period of significance | 1882-1908 |
|---|---|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Engineering |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Boundary source | NPS cultural-resource GIS polygon |
| Full listing page | Gordon, Jervis, Grist Mill Historic District (property record) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.