Rich-McCormick Woolen Factory
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
A rectangular three-story brick mill of common coursed brick on a rough-cut stone foundation, with a gabled asphalt shingle roof and a two- and three-story wood wrap-around porch. Built circa 1830 along Little Plum Run in Dunnstable Township, Clinton County, it was publicized at the time as a new brick factory and operated for about fifteen years under John Rich II, a woolcarder who had learned his trade in England. Here wool was carded, spun, and woven into flannel, blankets and sattinetts for customers across a wide area of central Pennsylvania. Water supply shortages on Little Plum Run led to its closure around 1845, when production moved to a new site on Chatham's Run. The building was later used for storage and, around 1930, converted to a dwelling. It is regarded as the oldest surviving factory building tied to Clinton County's textile industry and the earliest physical link to the company that became Woolrich, Inc.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the oldest known factory building associated with the textile industry in Clinton County and the only visible, architecturally intact building associated with John Rich II and the early beginnings of Woolrich, Inc. It is presented as the foundation from which the later woolen business grew. Its significance is tied to the industrial and commercial history of the Rich family's woolen manufacturing.
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 85001959, listed September 5, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Little Plum Run Rd., Woolrich |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | September 5, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001959 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1830-1845 |
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rebuilt as a residence around 1930 with interior panelling later removed; the form states the structure as it appears is basically intact. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.17145, -77.37093 (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 85001959.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7323151
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.