Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Mystery Building

Photographed by Kate Clifford, August 9, 2026

1. The Mystery Building Marker

Inscription. The only historic document that gives us a clue that a long-gone outbuilding once stood here is a map of the George Taylor property in the 1876 New Illustrated Atlas of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. No living person can recall it, but its location within the arrangement of the other farmstead outbuildings does indicate some possibilities. This building may have been an earlier 18th century log house, or a special purpose outbuilding for processing meat and farm products, or a workshop. We know that George Taylor once owned two to four slaves. Could this be where they lived or worked? Future historic archaeology conducted here will help us discover when this "Mystery Building" was built and how it was used.

"Mystery is the magnet of inquiry."
Edward Counsel
Maxims

This excerpt from a map of Catasauqua published in 1876 shows the outlines of the farm buildings that existed then on site. The map of the borough has the outlines of all the buildings in Catasauqua at that time, with the owners' names. Many of Catasauqua's buildings from that time still exist, but there are a few other "mystery buildings."

Erected by Borough

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of Catasauqua, George Taylor House, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 40° 38.868′ N, 75° 27.99′ W. Marker is in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It can be reached from the intersection of Poplar Street and S. Front Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 S Front Street, Catasauqua PA 18032, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Lehigh Valley.

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: The Stone Barn (a few steps from this marker); The Wagon House (within shouting distance of

The Mystery Building Marker in relation to house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kate Clifford, August 9, 2026

2. The Mystery Building Marker in relation to house

this marker); George Taylor Declaration Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); George Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Dery Silk Mill (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Biery's Port (about 600 feet away); Davies and Thomas Company (approx. ¼ mile away); Crane Iron Works (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Catasauqua.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.