Diamond Silk Mill
Also known as: York Silk Manufacturing Company
Why it's listed
Built in 1900 to a design by York architect John A. Dempwolf, the Diamond Silk Mill is a three and one-half story brick building measuring 50 by 300 feet, set on a limestone foundation with a hip roof. Its two stair towers rise above the roofline, and its Romanesque arches and segmentally arched windows are among its main features. The mill is one of four silk mills constructed in York between about 1899 and 1904, and the nomination regards it as the most finely designed of the group. Silk manufacturing grew into one of York's leading industries, and the mill's construction helped open the East York area to industrial growth. The building is described as an intact example of local Romanesque Revival industrial architecture, with very good integrity. Its tall form also made it one of the most visible buildings on the city's east-end skyline. The mill was recognized for its architecture and its role in York's turn-of-the-century industry.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is a leading example of the turn-of-the-century silk industry that shaped York's growth, and that it is one of the most distinctive industrial works of architect John A. Dempwolf. It is described as an intact example of local Romanesque Revival industrial architecture with very good integrity, and as one of the first major industries in East York.
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 92000949, listed July 24, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Ridge Ave. and Hay St., East York |
|---|---|
| County | York County |
| Listed | July 24, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000949 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-1930 |
| Architect / builder | John A. Dempwolf (architect) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The form describes living units on the ground and upper floors, with the former office area converted to a living unit and a rehabilitated building. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 39.97657, -76.69959 (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 92000949.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5270920
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.