Harrison Grist Mill
Also known as: Morley Grist Mill
Why it's listed
Built in 1840 by the Harrison family, this cut sandstone grist mill sits on a triangular finger of land in the Grasse River beside Route 345 in Morley. It is a simple gabled rectangle with symmetrical windows, an arched recessed entrance with Federal moldings, and a cornice with returns. The front is two stories and the river side three. Five stone mills were once built in St. Lawrence County, and this is the only one left. The Harrison family bought large tracts in the 1790s, sold land to New England settlers, and funded schools, churches and mills; in Morley they founded the mill, a stone school and the Episcopal Church. The family owned the mill until 1905, and feed mill operators used it until 1945. Later it served as a plumbing supply warehouse and has been vacant since 1980. A c.1960 bridge crowds its southwest corner, and river erosion has damaged the rear foundation.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the last surviving stone mill building in St. Lawrence County, one of five originally built there. It is a late vernacular Federal design whose exterior keeps its original details. It also reflects the Harrison family's role in settling and developing the county.
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) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004683, listed September 16, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 345, Morley |
|---|---|
| County | St. Lawrence County |
| Listed | September 16, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004683 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1840) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; built by the Harrison family |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Federal |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since 1980, last used as a plumbing supply warehouse; the rear foundation wall is seriously damaged by river erosion. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 44.66408, -75.19592 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004683.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706321
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.