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Industry on the River: The Story of Prallsville Mills

If you drive along Route 29 in Stockton, New Jersey, the Delaware River offers scenic views on one side, while steep cliffs and historic homes line the other. But just north of Lambertville, a complex of stone and timber buildings commands attention.

This is Prallsville Mills. Today, it is a cultural hub for concerts, art shows, and weddings. But for centuries, this site was the industrial heartbeat of Hunterdon County—a place defined by war heroes, locomotive fires, and linseed oil.

A Wedding Gift on the Water

The history of the site begins with a gesture of fatherly love. In 1709, John Reading (a prominent landowner) established a plantation here. When his daughter, Mary, married Daniel Howell in 1710, Reading gave the couple a massive wedding gift: a tract of land at the intersection of the Wicheckeoke Creek and the Delaware River, complete with a saw mill and a grist mill.

For nearly a century, the Howells and later the Woolvertons operated the mills. But the site’s true transformation began in 1794, when it was purchased by a Revolutionary War veteran named John Prall, Jr.

The War Hero Turned Tycoon

John Prall, Jr. was a man of action. During the Revolution, he served as a Lieutenant and fought at Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. At the Battle of Millstone, he was shot through the hip by a Hessian rifleman.

After the war, Prall turned his energy toward business. He purchased the mill site and surrounding lands (totaling 280 acres), effectively controlling the entire riverfront of present-day Stockton. He replaced the old wooden mills with stone structures, opened a quarry, and operated fisheries. The village that grew around his enterprise became known as Prallsville.

Fire on the Tracks

The massive grist mill that stands today is not the one Prall built.

In 1874, a locomotive chugging along the Belvidere Delaware Railroad (which ran right past the mill) spit out hot embers. The sparks ignited the roof of the mill, and the building was severely damaged.

The mill was rebuilt on the original foundation and reopened in 1877. This is the structure visitors see today. It continued to operate well into the 20th century, evolving from grinding flour to producing animal feed and eventually serving as a hardware store run by the Smith family.

Saved from the Wrecking Ball

By 1969, the mills were silent. The complex was abandoned, deteriorating, and up for sale. Developers had a plan: demolish the historic industrial buildings and build a tract of modern townhouses.

Enter Donald Jones. A local resident and preservationist, Jones refused to let the history be paved over. He personally bought the site in 1969 to hold it safe until the State of New Jersey could afford to acquire it.

In 1973, the state purchased the property, incorporating it into the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. Since 1976, it has been managed by the Delaware River Mill Society, a non-profit dedicated to its restoration.

Exploring the Complex

The site is a treasure trove of industrial architecture. When you visit, look for these key structures:

• The Grist Mill (1877): The centerpiece of the site, now used for events.
• The Linseed Oil Mill (c. 1794): Built by John Prall, Jr., this mill processed flax into linseed oil (a base for paint). It is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic.
• The Saw Mill (c. 1850): Originally water-powered, later converted to steam.

The Miller’s House (1794): John Prall’s home is an architectural marvel. It features two front doors—one formal and one informal—which was a status symbol of the time.

• Look for the Summer Wall: Inside, the house features a rare “paneled summer wall” in the hallway. This wall was designed to be physically removed during the hot summer months to allow a breeze to flow through the house, and reinstalled in winter to trap heat from the fireplace!

If You Visit

The Prallsville Mills complex is located directly between the D&R Canal towpath and the Delaware River, making it a perfect stop for hikers and cyclists.

• Location: 33 Risler Street (Route 29), Stockton, NJ 08559.
• Access: The grounds are open to the public daily. The buildings are open for specific events, concerts, and tours.
• Don’t Miss: The antique machinery and the view of the Wicheckeoke Creek flowing beneath the stone arches.

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For More Information

Delaware River Mill Society (www.prallsvillemills.org)