HELLERTOWN, Pa. — A grist mill built in 1761 and its park in Northampton County joined the likes of the Washington Monument and Pearl Harbor in its recent addition to a nationwide list of historic locations.
The Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, located at 150 W. Walnut St. in Hellertown, is now officially part of the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Hellertown Historical Society.
The register, overseen by the National Park Service, recognizes the site’s architectural, cultural and historical significance dating back to the mid-18th century, the society said in a
release.
“The grist mill connects us to the lives of those who built this town more than 250 years ago."
Hellertown Historical Society President Donald Mills
Hellertown Historical Society President Donald Mills said the historic recognition is a win for the borough and its legacy, especially ahead of America's semiquincentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
“The grist mill connects us to the lives of those who built this town more than 250 years ago,” Mills said.
“Being included in the National Register ensures that future generations will understand and appreciate the role this site played in shaping our region’s history.”
'Cornerstone of local life'
Simon Heller, son of Hellertown’s founder and namesake, Christopher Heller, built the mill in 1761.
“For centuries, the mill stood as a cornerstone of local life in Hellertown and the Saucon Valley, serving both agricultural and community needs,” the historical society said in a news release.
The borough took ownership of the mill site in 1981, when it entered into an agreement that the historical society would handle ongoing preservation and site maintenance.
The more-than-30-acre historic area comes with scenic views, picnic tables and handy access to the Saucon Rail Trail.
The historical society offers tours of the grist mill complex, which include the Colonial-era Wash House, Grist Mill Museum and Pole Barn.
'Enduring examples of the nation's heritage'
Research from society volunteer Chip Wagner helped kickstart the three-year push to historic register status, according to the historical society. He’s a direct descendant of one of the mill’s eventual owners and namesakes: Christopher “Stoffel” Wagner.
In June, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission nominated the grist mill for the recognition ahead of the National Park Service giving final register approval.
Established in 1966, the register passed the 100,000-mark as of May.
“These buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts serve as enduring examples of the nation's heritage, reflecting the events, people, and achievements that have shaped our country."
National Register of Historic Places
“These buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts serve as enduring examples of the nation's heritage, reflecting the events, people, and achievements that have shaped our country,” according to the register website.
Hellertown Historical Society collaborated with Bethlehem-based Artefact Inc., a historic preservation firm, in work leading to the designation.
The Walnut Street "Pony" Bridge, just across the street from the grist mill and HHS headquarters, was announced as part of the register in 2023.
Coming off a strong year
According to the historical soceity's Facebook page, the group brought in the following grant money in 2024:
- $85,000 for the borough, in coordination with the society, to build a new handicapped access ramp at the Grist Mill Museum
- $10,000 through a Keystone Preservation Planning grant (Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission awarded the society for its application to include the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Complex among the National Register of Historic Places)
- $10,000 through a Northampton County Hotel Tax grant (For marketing and public relations services related to programming)
- $6,100 through a Northampton County Hotel Tax grant (For outdoor interpretive signs at the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Complex)
- $5,000 from a Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation grant (For producing educational videos about 12 local, historic buildings).