A colonial stone farmhouse built in 1756, the Troxell-Steckel House is one of the oldest structures in Lehigh County and an excellent example of German medieval style architecture brought to eastern Pennsylvania by German settlers.
The Troxell family arrived in America from what is now western Germany in 1737. John Peter Troxell, also known as Johan Peter Trachsel, acquired the property along Coplay Creek in 1748 and built his home in 1756.
In 1768 Troxell sold his house and 410-acre property to Peter Steckel and moved to Gwynned Township, Philadelphia County, and eventually settled in Frederick County, Maryland.
The Steckel family owned the property for the next 140 years until 1906, when Albert Steckel sold the home to someone outside the family. It was used as a rental property until December 6, 1941, when the Lehigh County Historical Society was given the house and 24 acres of ground by a Steckel family descendent. Abraham Peter Steckel, who was a Lehigh University graduate and retired president of the Cold Metal Process Company of Youngstown, Ohio, had purchased the property for the society. The home has been renovated and is open to the public for tours and events.
Additional Information
- Hours of Operation:
June to October
Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 4pm
- Cost/Fees:
Admission is free
- Features:
-
Tours
Picnic Area
