Stouchsburg Historic District
Why it's listed
Stouchsburg is a linear village of closely built houses along one main street in Marion Township, Berks County, laid out in the 1820s on lots about 50 by 250 feet that run back to rear alleys. Most of its 97 major buildings date from the 19th century, with 19 log, 33 brick, 4 stone and 39 frame structures recorded, and about 150 outbuildings such as barns, summer kitchens, smokehouses and cisterns stand behind them. The village grew after the Berks and Dauphin Turnpike opened in 1817 and with the Union Canal trade after 1827, and it expanded again during the 1870s cigar industry. Its Peter Spycker House, dating from about 1750, is the oldest known building. Because growth largely ceased after the canal was abandoned in 1884, the village retains its 19th-century plan and building stock. It is regarded as a typical Pennsylvania German village of that era, with its layout and houses intact.
Significance in brief: The village is described as a remarkably intact 19th-century Pennsylvania German linear village that typifies the one-main-street towns that grew along transportation routes in rural Pennsylvania. Its growth from the 1820s to the 1880s is tied to the commerce of the Union Canal, and its later stagnation after the canal's abandonment in 1884 is credited with preserving its historic design. Its architecture is valued mainly for overall village design and preserved buildings rather than for individual high-style examples.
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 85000071, listed January 8, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 12 to 153 Main St., and Water St., Stouchsburg |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | January 8, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000071 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1750-1930 |
| Architectural style | Pennsylvania German vernacular; Georgian; Italianate; Victorian; Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Most original buildings remain; many outbuildings and village houses have been converted from commercial to residential use, and some have aluminum or asphalt siding added. |
| Acreage | 47 |
| Within district | Tulpehocken Creek Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.37972, -76.23109 (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 85000071.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7620538
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.