Keller, Jacob, Farm
Also known as: Covered Bridge Inn--Bed and Breakfast
Why it's listed
Near Ephrata, on Rettew Mill Road, stands a two-and-a-half-story limestone farmhouse begun in 1814 and marked by paired date stones bearing the names of Jacob and Alicesabeth Keller. Its five-bay facade has nine-over-six sash, and an 1856 frame wing was added to the west. The house is regarded as a fine example of the Federal and Germanic farmhouse once common across Lancaster County, and one of only three such houses surviving in Ephrata. Its two Indian doors, which could be slid to cover the glazing and present a solid wooden face, are seldom found in the county today. Interior woodwork, including a corner cupboard and a second-floor fireplace mantle, survives in good condition. Across the road stand the stone foundation of a barn and a stuccoed stone mill, the third on the site, both dating to about 1814.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as an excellent example of a Federal and Germanic style Pennsylvania farmhouse and one of only three such houses surviving in Ephrata. Its two Indian doors, which can be slid to conceal the glazing and present a solid wooden appearance, are described as seldom found in Lancaster County today. The farm is also tied to the Keller family's early eighteenth-century land holdings.
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 86001679, listed July 17, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 900 Rettew Mill Rd., Ephrata |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | July 17, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001679 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1814-1856 |
| Architect / builder | Jacob Keller |
| Architectural style | Federal and Germanic |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is in excellent condition; the mill is vacant and has deteriorated, and the barn was destroyed by fire in December 1984. |
| Acreage | 2.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.17034, -76.20542 (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 86001679.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6118851
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.