Lightfoot Mill
Why it's listed
Samuel Lightfoot built this combination grist and lumber mill of random fieldstone on Pickering Creek in Chester County in 1747. The building is a bank-type structure of three levels, with a gable roof, massive corner quoins and six-over-six sash windows. Its interior remains largely intact, with hand-hewn beams, oak floor boards and much of its original grist and lumber milling machinery. A metal wheel replaced the wooden one in 1909, and a cider press shed on the north side was enlarged and enclosed in 1919. By 1765 the mill had made Lightfoot one of the wealthiest and largest landowners in the county. He also served as a county commissioner from 1736 and as a Justice of the Peace from 1751. From 1763 to 1767 he kept the field records for the Mason and Dixon survey of the Pennsylvania and Maryland boundary. After his death in 1777 the mill passed to his son and later a grandson, and it operated under various owners until 1940.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is an excellent example of mid-18th century mill operation and was vital to the region's agricultural and commercial growth. It also ties the property to Samuel Lightfoot, a prominent local landowner, office holder and surveyor who kept field records for the Mason and Dixon boundary survey from 1763 to 1767.
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 73001616, listed April 13, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1703 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | April 13, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001616 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1747 |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Lightfoot (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated April 5, 2005 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The mill's interior is largely intact with original hand-hewn beams, oak floor boards and much of its grist and lumber milling machinery; the mill is in good condition and at its original site, though the adjoining house has been greatly altered. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 40.08120, -75.64409 (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 73001616.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6546290
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.