Irwinton Historic District
Why it's listed
Irwinton is a milling hamlet on the West Branch of the Conococheague Creek in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Archibald Irwin established a flour and sawmill there by 1766, and the settlement grew into a center of industry that supplied provisions during the American Revolution. The district includes the Irwinton stone house, dating from about 1778, which has a four-bay south front, unusually large windows for an early house in the county, and interior woodwork in the Georgian manner. The 1856 frame mill, built by John William Henkell on the foundations of the earlier mill, still operates and is described as a rare survivor among regional mills. Members of the Irwin family also held notable positions. Jane Irwin Harrison and Jane Irwin Findlay served as White House hostesses during William Henry Harrison's brief term, and Elizabeth Irwin Harrison was the mother of Benjamin Harrison. The district also includes barns, dwellings, outbuildings and a mill dam on the creek.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the district is significant under Criterion A for its role in settlement, growth and prosperity in the Cumberland Valley as a milling hamlet and seat of the Irwin family, and under Criterion C as an outstanding example of vernacular early Georgian architecture with unusual interior woodwork. It also notes that few complete milling complexes remain intact in the region, and that the mill is a relatively rare survivor.
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 12001096, listed December 26, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 9717 & 9685 Anderson Rd. (Montgomery Township), Upton |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | December 26, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12001096 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1778-ca. 1915 |
| Architectural style | COLONIAL/Georgian; MID-19TH CENTURY/Greek Revival (as listed in materials and architectural classification) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry, Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The still-operational mill is described as operating; the Anderson family ownership is noted as continuing in the nomination. |
| Acreage | 26 |
| Coordinates | 39.79259, -77.84885 (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 12001096.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q137691239
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.