Lehigh Valley Silk Mills
Also known as: Lipps and Sutton Silk Mill; Warren Mill
Why it's listed
Two red brick silk mills stand side by side at the corner of Seneca and Clewell Streets in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania. The Lipps and Sutton Mill was begun in 1886 in a T-shaped plan, and the Warren Mill followed in 1895. Designed by South Bethlehem architect A. W. Leh and built by contractor J. Stewart Allam, the Lipps and Sutton building was scaled down to suit its residential neighborhood, with its height kept low and its brick walls set with pilasters, corbelled dentils, and small corner turrets. Leh's turrets are regarded as his signature. The Lipps and Sutton Mill is said to be the first silk mill in Bethlehem, and the complex reflects the rise of silk production in the Lehigh Valley, which became the second most important silk region in the United States by 1920. The buildings also reflect the regional silk industry's labor history, including a 1910 strike at the plant. The Warren Mill continues to operate as a textile mill.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Lipps and Sutton Mill was the first silk mill built in Bethlehem and one of the first four in the Lehigh Valley, and that the two mills represent the extremes of local silk mill architecture. The Lipps and Sutton building is described as an unusually scaled and highly articulated example of late nineteenth-century silk mill design, shaped by its residential surroundings. The complex is also tied to the regional silk industry and its labor history.
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 93000356, listed April 29, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Seneca and Clewell Sts., Fountain Hill |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | April 29, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000356 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1886-1937 |
| Architect / builder | A. W. Leh (architect); J. Stewart Allam (builder) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular; Queen Anne influence |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Warren Mill is still operating as a thread mill; the Lipps and Sutton Mill was renovated beginning in 1991. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 40.60453, -75.39310 (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 93000356.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6518863
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.