Mascot Roller Mills
Also known as: Ressler's Mill
Why it's listed
Stone grist mill at Mascot in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, begun about 1737-1740 and brought to three stories by about 1825. Its random masonry shows clear marks of growth, moving from one story to two and then three, and the western wing began as a gable-roofed addition in the late 1700s. Roller machinery installed in 1906 by Strout, Waldron & Co. of Muncy replaced earlier French burrs and an overshot wheel, and is believed to be the oldest surviving roller mechanism of its type in the county. The mill operated commercially into the late 1970s and was a custom mill for nearby farmers in its later years. A post office was located in the mill from 1882 to 1934. The mill has been traced through deeds to 1740, and it is regarded as the lone survivor of at least five mills once on Mill Creek. Beside it stands the 1855 brick Groff House, whose paint scheme reflects late nineteenth-century colors, preserved through the twentieth century by the Ressler family.
Significance in brief: The mill is regarded as a monument in the industrial history of southeastern Pennsylvania because it has operated continuously on one site since the second quarter of the eighteenth century, and its 1906 roller machinery is believed to be the oldest of its type surviving in Lancaster County. Its structural evolution from one story to three illustrates several mill forms of the 1700s and 1800s, and the adjacent 1855 Groff House is notable for its preserved late nineteenth-century paint colors.
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 83002255, listed September 29, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Newport and Stumptown Rds., Mascot |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | September 29, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002255 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1737/40-1825 |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Continues in operation on a limited basis; corn is still ground during warm months. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.06291, -76.15698 (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 83002255.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6782889
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.