Mill Details

Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill

Lancaster Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Known Dates: c. 1775
Township: East Hempfield Twp.
Watersource: Kauffman's Run, trib. to Swarr' Run, trib. to Cone
Location / Directions

Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill

From Lancaster City center, take Pa. 23 west for 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Stone Battery Rd., go 1 mile and turn right on Church St. In 1/2 mile , turn left on Nolt Road. Mill is about 1/4 mile on the left at intersection with Snapper Rd. (T. 633) and Kauffman's Run (stream).

Verse for Thought
"All things were created through Him and for Him."
({Collossians 1:16 NKJV})
Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill
Jim Miller 09/1992

Also known as Kneisley's Mill, The 2.5 story, 30'x50' sandstone mill is one of the older mills still standing in Lancaster Co. Built by George Kneisley between 1773 and 1779. Tax records show G. Kneisley paying taxes on a grist mill from 1779 to 1786, then John Kneisly from 1787-88. In 1792, taxes were paid on a saw mill by John Kneisly at the site. Records from 1824 indicate a saw mill owned by a Hershey. From 1864 through 1899, it was a grist mill owned by Christ N. Nolt.

Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill
Jim Miller 09/1992

One overshot wheel was used to power the millstones after the waters of Kauffman's Run had traveled 1,300' along the headrace, dropping 2' to the wheel. The mill was at times a grist, saw, & flour mill. As a flour mill, it was capable of producing 8 barrels/day. At one time it was also a hemp and woolen mill operated by Christ Kauffman. Hemp production gave the name for E. and W. Hempfield Townships. In 1969, the mill was empty and deteriorating badly. Thanks to some foresight by a homebuyer, in the 1970's, the ediface had been converted into a beautiful residence. By 1992, the mill was preserved without compromising very much of it's integrity as a mill structure.

Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey winter 2004

*Update: Georg(e) Kneisly born 1711-died 1785. His wife was Catherine Nolt/Noltz/Nolte, daughter of Philip Nolt of Silver Spring, Lancaster Co., Pa. Their son John Kneisly died in 1812. Janice Patterson 03/14/2007*

 
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