Gordon, Jervis, Grist Mill Historic District
Also known as: Milford Grist Mill; Rowe's Mill
Why it's listed
On the Sawkill Creek at Milford, this complex centres on a grist mill whose original 1882 two-storey frame building was rebuilt after a fire and fitted with a 24 horsepower turbine. A 1904 water wheel by the Rowe brothers and a machine shop added c. 1908 extended the power system, and much of the turbine, shafting, elevator machinery and belt drives remain in place. The dam, mill pond and raceways that feed the wheel survive intact. Nearby stand a blacksmith shop of about 1860-1870 serving local farmers and a miller's house with late eighteenth-century origins. Milford was named for its mills, and this is the only one where the water power and milling equipment remain together. The site shows how small rural enterprises were powered and operated until the mid-twentieth century.
Significance in brief: The mill is one of only two remaining mill buildings in Milford and the only one retaining both its water power system and milling machinery. Its complex of dam, raceways, water wheel and belting illustrates late nineteenth and early twentieth century water-power technology. Together with its blacksmith shop and residence it represents the small commercial and industrial enterprises that served a rural economy.
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 85003163, listed December 26, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Water, Mill, and Seventh Sts., Milford |
|---|---|
| County | Pike County |
| Listed | December 26, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003163 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1882-1908 |
| Architect / builder | Jervis Gordon, Alanson & John Rowe |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restoration work was in progress at the time of nomination, with adaptive use planned for a grist mill, cider mill and shops. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Within district | Milford Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 41.32391, -74.81081 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 85003163.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6185270
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.