Coffeetown Grist Mill
Why it's listed
Built of quarried limestone under a slate roof, the Coffeetown Grist Mill sits against a bank in Williams Township near Easton, Pennsylvania. A datestone on the building reads "I.R., 1762," with initials associated with Jacob Reich, a prominent local landowner before the Revolution. Originally 30 by 36 feet, the mill was enlarged in the 19th century by extending its walls and roof 14 feet to enclose a wooden water wheel. Its walls are two feet thick, and the stonework changes visibly at a seam on the east wall. The mill served as a water-powered grist mill, then a temporary schoolhouse, a post office and store, and a fertilizer factory. In the 1920s the milling machinery was removed and steel I-beams and reinforced concrete replaced some structural timbers. The building is regarded as a fine example of the rural gristmills that were common in 18th-century Pennsylvania. It was later adapted as a house, and the surrounding ground was filled in to the first loading door.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the mill is one of the oldest structures in Williams Township, dating from before the Revolution, and a fine example of an 18th-century rural Pennsylvania grist mill. It also cites the building's durability and adaptability across several uses over more than two centuries.
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 77001179, listed November 16, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7 mi. S of Easton at Coffeetown and Kressman Rds., Easton |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | November 16, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001179 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used as a private residence |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.61961, -75.20533 (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.
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 77001179.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5140976
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.