The National Park Service has officially added the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill site to the National Register of Historic Places, marking a significant achievement for the Hellertown community and preserving a piece of Pennsylvania’s colonial heritage.
The historic mill at 150 W. Walnut St. received its designation in August, recognizing the site’s architectural, cultural and historical significance spanning back to the mid-18th century. Built in 1761 by Simon Heller and later owned by Christopher “Stoffel” Wagner, the mill served as a cornerstone of local life in Hellertown and the Saucon Valley for centuries.
The three-year journey to national recognition brought together community members, historians and preservation experts. HHS volunteer Chip Wagner, a direct descendant of Stoffel Wagner, initiated the research before the Hellertown Historical Society Board advanced the project…