Spangler-Benner Farm
The pin is a point inside the NPS boundary polygon, not a surveyed location.
Why it's listed
A working farm in Mount Joy Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, the Benner Farm lies in a bend of Rock Creek about six miles southeast of Gettysburg. Its farmstead holds a two-story house built in 1870 on the site of an 1802 log house, a timber-framed bank barn dated 1864 on red sandstone foundations, and a log summer kitchen believed to be from 1802. Sheds and workshops hold a large collection of antique implements, many still in use. The farm is listed for its agricultural significance. It has operated since 1802 with grain, hay and livestock, and it continues to use horses and mules and historic methods without herbicides or pesticides. It has been in one family's hands since 1802 and is one of few farms in the township known to keep these methods. The Benner Family also continues traditional smoking of hams and bacon.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the farm is significant for the way of life it preserves, using historic farming methods and technology without chemicals on the land or livestock. It is presented as a rare survival of 19th-century agricultural practice in Mount Joy Township, and as a property continuously owned by one family since 1802.
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 92001493, listed October 29, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 230 Benner Rd., Mt. Joy Township, Gettysburg |
|---|---|
| County | Adams County |
| Listed | October 29, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001493 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1802-1942 |
| Architectural style | 19th century vernacular farm |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The property is in excellent condition and continues as a viable agricultural business. |
| Acreage | 145.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.74193, -77.22602 (NPS GIS) |
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.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 92001493.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7573087
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.