Worker's House at Lower Laurel Iron Works
Also known as: Site #49-9
Why it's listed
Built around 1870 as a double house for two worker families at the Lower Laurel Iron Works, this two-story frame dwelling stands on Creek Road in Newlin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, facing south toward the former Wilmington and Reading Railroad tracks and the West Branch Brandywine River. The iron works across the road was established in 1872. The house has a gable roof, a simple box cornice, small brick chimneys at each gable end, horizontal German siding, and a symmetrical four-bay facade with six-over-six windows. A shed-roofed porch rests on stone piers. Inside, a stone wall in the basement and a plaster wall in the attic separate the two identical units. It is regarded as a notably intact example of worker housing, and it is uncommon in a district where such housing is usually found in boroughs. Its original exterior walls, attic and basement are described as retaining much of their integrity.
Significance in brief: The house is associated with an iron works established across the road in 1872 and is described as a well-preserved example of worker housing. The nomination notes that this type of housing is uncommon in the Scenic River Corridor, where it is more typical of the county's boroughs. It retains original features that show its use as a double dwelling.
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 85002381, listed September 16, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Creek Rd., Newlin Twp. |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | September 16, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002381 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1850-74 |
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a double house and still heated by stoves, as originally |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.93722, -75.76850 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 85002381.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17040265
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.