Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Melcher's Grist Mill

Photographed by William Pope, October 8, 2022

1. Melcher's Grist Mill Marker

Inscription. Melcher's Grist Mill was built c.1888 and represents a complete and rare example of a single family multi-purpose farm mill. Built for Nicklos Melcher and moved from Bally, Pennsylvania, the mill had a water powered turbine in the basement. On the first floor the water power was used to operate a large blade grindstone, a bone mill, a meat grinder, and a sausage stuffing machine at butchering time. The main machinery in the mill was the millstone for grinding grains into animal feed, and corn for cornmeal in the kitchen. The mill could also power a wood saw for cutting firewood and a wooden tub washing machine. Such farm mills were not uncommon in the eastern United States, but became obsolete with the introduction of gasoline and electric motors. The last owner, Joseph Melcher, son of Nicklos, operated the mill into the 1950s. It was moved to this site in 1984.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 40° 22.167′ N, 75° 58.833′ W. Marker is in Reading, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It is on Red Bridge Road 0.1 miles north of Tulpehocken road, on the right when traveling south. Red Bridge Road is closed to vehicular traffic at this location.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1102 Red Bridge Road, Reading PA 19605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: C. Howard Hiester Canal Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Reeser Farm House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wertz's "Red" Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lest We Forget (about 300 feet away); Berks County Lodge No.71 Fraternal Order of Police (about 400 feet away); 148th Fighter Squadron (about 400 feet away); Gruber Wagon Works (about 500 feet away); Union Canal (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reading.

More about this marker. This marker can only be accessed by foot. It is on the property of the Berks County Heritage Center.

Photographed by William Pope, October 8, 2022

2. Melcher's Grist Mill Marker

Photographed by William Pope, October 8, 2022

3. Melcher's Grist Mill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2022, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2022, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.