Centre Mills
Why it's listed
Stone grist mill built in 1802 or 1803 for Tobias Pickle, sitting on a hillside a short distance north of Elk Creek in Brush Valley, Centre County. Its walls are roughly coursed fieldstone with large quoining stones at the corners, and it has a basement with mill-race arches, two full stories and an attic. Inside, the timber superstructure that once held the breastwheels survives, with stone piers and sixteen posts spanning the race. A stone house of about the same date stood alongside, and in later years the site is said to have accommodated farmers who came some distance to have grain milled. The site is regarded as the preeminent place for the settlement of Brush Valley and the first introduction of milling there. Its masonry and timber work recall the early settlers' effort in a frontier valley. Originally water-powered, the mill converted to steam after the dam was lost around 1900, and the property's buildings show the development of the local milling industry.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is an important landmark of the pioneer era of the county and the preeminent site for the settlement of Brush Valley. The massive masonry and timber work reflect the enterprise of early settlers, and the site shows the introduction and development of milling in the valley.
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 76001621, listed December 12, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Rebersburg off PA 445, Rebersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Centre County |
| Listed | December 12, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001621 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | prior to 1798, log 1802 or 1803, stone mill |
| Architect / builder | Col. Meyer (builder), as the form names him |
| Architectural style | Stone Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The mill operated on steam power into the 20th century after the dam washed away circa 1900; the breastwheels were replaced by a turbine and the machinery is largely gone; the barn was being rebuilt. |
| Acreage | 9.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.92567, -77.47210 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 76001621.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5062288
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.