Augspurger Grist Mill
Why it's listed
Built around 1868 beside the Great Miami River in Woodsdale, Butler County, this grist mill is a brick building with a full stone basement set into a bank. It rises two and a half to three stories under a gable roof. The gable-end facade is divided into three bays by brick pilasters, and the windows have segmental arches, brick hoodmolds and six-over-six double-hung sash. The central bay has doorways at each level so grain could be loaded. The style is described as vernacular with Italianate influence. The mill was part of a mid-19th century mill town developed for the Augspurger Paper Company. The nomination describes the date of that mill town as the earliest known example of this type of development in Ohio. It is significant as part of the industrial activity of the Augspurger family, and it was included as one component of a group of Augspurger settlement properties. The mill was in poor condition and threatened by neglect when documented, and it was then used for storage.
Significance in brief: The mill is significant under Criterion A as part of the industrial side of the Augspurger family's activities. It belonged to a mid-19th century mill town for the Augspurger Paper Company, which is described as the earliest known example of this type of development in Ohio. It was accepted as an integral component of the Augspurger Amish/Mennonite Settlement thematic group.
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 84000211, listed November 1, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Wayne-Madison Rd., Woodsdale |
|---|---|
| County | Butler County |
| Listed | November 1, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000211 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular with Italianate influence |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior and interior condition is listed as poor, and the mill is described as endangered by neglect. The lot beside it holds derelict equipment, and the building is used for storage. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.43020, -84.47719 (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.
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 84000211.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4820477
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.