Mill Details

RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill

Berks Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Known Dates: Late 1700's
Township: Marion Twp.
Watersource: Tulpehocken Creek.
Location / Directions

RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill

From Main St. (Old US 422) off of US 422, take Mill St. SW from Main. The Ansbach Mill is around, behind the first mill encountered, the Hershberger's Mill.

Verse for Thought
"Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The Lord be magnitied'."
({Psalm 40:16 NKJV})
RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill
Jim Miller 10/1987

This old mill structure of 35'X 55' and 3.5 stories in height has a mill race leading out from the building. In the fall of 1987, there was at least two fairly complete walls remaining if not more. The limestone structure, encased in a forest of trees, features some rather fancy arched lintels over the windows with the intervening area of red brick. The earlier mill theory was supported by historian-photographer George M. Meiser IX of Reading in 1978.

RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 02/22/2006

The most accepted story is that the mill quit operation about the time the Union Canal was built c.1820 because the waters needed to operate the mill were no longer available. One version or continuation of the tale, involves a dispute between neighbors, with the result that one built the newer mill to spite the other, thereby closing off the water supply to the old mill. Need more info.

RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 02/22/2006

Some local residents insist that it was no mill at all, but the original parish house of the Christ Lutheran Church on up the hill; and that, one side was the residence while the other was a parish school. This two part idea has relevance in that a solid stone wall divides the building into two separate sections, each section with brick fireplaces on each story. A mill wouldn't have that many fireplaces, perhaps only one on the first floor. The mill race seemingly coming out of the lower side of the mill may be part of the tailrace of the Hershberger Mill next door or a partial section of the old Union Canal.

RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill

Whichever is the case, it is still an interesting building and will remain on this site for the present time.

 
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