Bethlehem Silk Mill
Also known as: Bethlehem Silk Company
Why it's listed
Built beginning in 1886 on West Goepp Street in Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Silk Mill is a complex of seven interconnected brick buildings around two courtyards. John C. Schropp began it as a commission silk throwing mill of two buildings, and the Bethlehem Silk Company expanded it in about 1896 and again around 1901 into a full throwing and weaving facility. Its Late Victorian character comes from corbelled brick along the cornices, nine-over-nine wood windows, and a corner office block with decorative parapets and corner posts. The mill is regarded as one of the largest and most intact late nineteenth century silk mills in the Lehigh Valley. In 1905 it ran 49,500 spindles and employed 350 people, mostly women and children. The company was dissolved under bankruptcy and the property sold in 1953, which ends the period of significance. Parts of the complex were in vacancy for years, and the buildings show deferred maintenance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill was one of the largest and earliest silk mills in the Lehigh Valley during the early twentieth century, tied to the region's silk industry. It also argues the complex is a surviving example of late nineteenth and early twentieth century industrial architecture that adapted to changing market demands.
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 05000065, listed February 15, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 238 W. Goepp St., Bethlehem |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | February 15, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000065 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1886-1953 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document describes the buildings as in fair condition, largely affected by deferred maintenance from years of vacancy. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Lehigh Canal; Allentown to Hopeville Section |
| Coordinates | 40.62717, -75.38425 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 05000065.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4898065
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.