RUINS: Old Ansbach Mill / Schultz's Mill
Berks Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Tulpehocken Creek.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whichever is the case, it is still an interesting building and will remain on this site for the present time.