Historic <strong>Structures</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Muddy</strong> Run Pumped Storage Facility Project Relicensing Application Lancaster and York Counties, Pennsylvania reduced in size by 1957 and altoge<strong>the</strong>r removed by 1971, when <strong>the</strong> transmission line was in place (Pennsylvania Geological Society 1937-71). According to <strong>the</strong> York-Adams County Diversified Field Crops, Cannery Crops, And Livestock, C. 1750- 1960 Multiple Property Documentation (MPD) Form, to be considered significant <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> period of “Diversified Small Scale Farming, Poultry Raising, and Cannery Crops, c. 1885-1940,” a “farmstead should include a house typical of <strong>the</strong> time and place or an older house showing period modifications; an older barn showing 20th century adaptations, or a new type such as a stable barn; at least one subsistence outbuilding dating from <strong>the</strong> period or modified during <strong>the</strong> period; at least one outbuilding showing poultry raising, hog raising, dairying, or truck farming; and architectural accommodation <strong>for</strong> farm machinery. The more outbuildings <strong>the</strong>re are which illustrate agricultural diversification, <strong>the</strong> better. If <strong>the</strong> farm has a history of specializations such as tobacco growing, <strong>the</strong> buildings should reflect that. A farm should have cropland. Remnant field boundaries such as tree lines or fencing are a plus. Landscape evidence <strong>for</strong> truck farming or orcharding is a plus because of its rarity. A historic agricultural district should have a more or less contiguous collection of farms representing <strong>the</strong>se features (McMurry 2011: 120).” TRC recommends that <strong>the</strong> Ritchie-Robinson Farm is not eligible <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> NRHP. As most of <strong>the</strong> buildings date from 1930-40, <strong>the</strong> farm does not possess a strong representation of a range of typical buildings and landscape features that illustrate important changes over time in <strong>the</strong> region’s agricultural history. Although <strong>the</strong> farm and farmstead do include components necessary to be considered significant <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> ca. 1885-1940 time period, <strong>the</strong> buildings <strong>the</strong>mselves are altered with modern siding and additions and do not possess a strong representation of typical buildings from <strong>the</strong> 1930-1960 time period. Although some of <strong>the</strong> farm remains under cultivation, <strong>the</strong> farm has been greatly reduced in size compromising <strong>the</strong> integrity of <strong>the</strong> landscape features. The orchards and most of <strong>the</strong> fields are no longer extant as <strong>the</strong>y are no longer under cultivation and are now part of properties containing modern dwellings. Additionally, upon review of <strong>the</strong> US Agricultural Census, its individual production system does not reflect <strong>the</strong> average or above average production levels in Peach Bottom Township. For <strong>the</strong>se reasons <strong>the</strong> resource is not eligible under Criterion A. Nei<strong>the</strong>r William Ritchie nor Michael Robinson were persons of historical significance on <strong>the</strong> local, state, or national level, thus <strong>the</strong> resource is not eligible under Criterion B. The house and/or <strong>the</strong> outbuildings are not eligible under Criterion C, ei<strong>the</strong>r individually nor as part of any potential historic district. Architecturally, <strong>the</strong> house’s integrity of design, materials, and workmanship have been compromised by modern siding and windows, an altered front porch, removal of <strong>the</strong> chimney, and <strong>the</strong> large 1920-30 addition. In May 2011, TRC conducted a windshield survey surrounding <strong>the</strong> farm to assess <strong>the</strong> existence of a rural historic district according to <strong>the</strong> guidelines in <strong>the</strong> National Register Bulletin 30-Guidelines of Evaluating and Documenting Rural Landscapes (National Park Service 1989, rev. 1999). Although still rural, <strong>the</strong> house’s vicinity is marked by altered 19 th century dwellings that have lost most of <strong>the</strong>ir historic outbuildings as well as numerous 20 th century houses (Figures 4-4 and 4-5) replacing <strong>the</strong> farms and houses which appear on <strong>the</strong> 1860 Schearer and Lake Map and <strong>the</strong> 1876 Nichols Map of Peach Bottom Township. 18
Historic <strong>Structures</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Muddy</strong> Run Pumped Storage Facility Project Relicensing Application Lancaster and York Counties, Pennsylvania Figure 4-1. Location of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Muddy</strong> Run Project Area and surveyed architectural resources. (USGS Topographic Quadrangle, Holtwood 1955, revised 1990) 19 <strong>Muddy</strong> Run Facility Ritchie-Robinson Farm (PHMC #118594)
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