Middletown in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Shafer's Mill

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

1. Shafer's Mill Marker

Inscription. Shafer's' Mill c.1812 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 39° 24.648′ N, 77° 33.864′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on Bennies Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3018 Bennies Hill Road, Middletown MD 21769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Charlie Keller (approx. 2.2 miles away); Christ Reformed Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); 301 West Main Street (approx. 2.4 miles away); Middletown (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Middletown (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Middletown (approx. 2.4 miles away); Lamar House (approx. 2.4 miles away); Appleman's Tannery (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.

Regarding Shafer's Mill. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form

The significance of the house called Shafer's Mill in Frederick County is derived from the architectural

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character of the building. The house embodies the distinctive characteristics of the rural domestic architecture of central and western Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania in the first quarter of the 19th century. These structures, which usually represent the second generation of the building stock, generally are 2 1/2 stories high, of brick construction, and Georgian in form with Federal decorative detailing. The facades are usually laid in Flemish bond with wooden molded cornices. The feature that sets this house apart from the majority of the other extant examples is the large proportions of the form. Shafer's Mill has an unusually high level of integrity of historic fabric and features, including graining on the doors, but is in only fair structural condition primarily due to neglect over time. Additional significance is acquired from association with John Shafer, Jr. (1753-1823), and his son Peter Shafer (1802-1896) who operated four mills in this area. The house was built for John Shafer, Jr. and occupied by him until his death and then by Peter Shafer until the 1830s. John and Peter Shafer are described in local history as two of the most important millers in the Middletown area in the 19th century.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

2. Shafer's Mill Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

3. Shafer's Mill Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 12, 2021

4. Shafer's Mill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2021, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2021, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.