Mascot Roller Mills (Boundary Increase)
Also known as: Ressler's Mill
Why it's listed
Built of local stone on a site beside Mill Creek in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Ressler's Mill was probably established around 1737 to 1740 and is traced by deeds to 1740. The mill rose from one story to three through several campaigns of building, and the visible changes in its masonry show that growth clearly. Its roller machinery, installed in 1906 by Strout, Waldron & Co. of Muncy, is believed to be the oldest of its type surviving in Lancaster County. The mill was a merchant mill in the mid-1800s and later a custom mill for nearby farmers, and the Mascot Post Office operated inside from 1882 to 1934. Beside it stands the brick house built for Daniel and Magdalena Groff in 1855, which keeps its painted exterior and original plan. Together these buildings form a rare, largely unaltered rural group, and the mill is one of the few survivors of many once on Mill Creek.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is significant as an intact example of a stone grist mill and as a monument to Lancaster County milling, being the oldest surviving grist mill there continuously operating on one site since the 1730s-1740s. Its roller machinery, installed in 1906, is believed to be the oldest surviving of its type in the county. The adjacent 1855 Groff House is described as preserved in pristine condition, including 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). NRHP reference 13000256, listed May 8, 2013. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Newport & Stumptown Rds. (Upper Leacock Township), Mascot |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | May 8, 2013 |
| Reference number | 13000256 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1737/40-c. 1825 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Ressler family ownership continued to the present; limited corn milling continues during warm months. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.06378, -76.15643 (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 13000256.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.