Lukens Historic District facts for kids
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Lukens Historic District
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Terracina, a house in the district
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 50, 53, 76, and 102 S. First St., Coatesville, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | @1750, 1849, 1889, 1902 |
| Architect | Cope and Stewardson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Late Gothic Revival, Gothic |
| Part of | Coatesville Historic District (ID87000667) |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001186 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1994 |
| Designated NHLD | April 19, 1994 |
| Designated CP | May 14, 1987 |
The Lukens Historic District is a special area in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. It includes four important properties linked to the history of the Lukens Steel Company and the family of Rebecca Lukens. This district helps us remember the amazing story of Rebecca Lukens (1794–1854). She was the first woman to lead a big factory business in the United States! She played a huge role in building America's steel industry. Because of its importance, the district was named a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
What is the Lukens Historic District?
The company that later became Lukens Steel was started by Isaac Pennock, Rebecca Lukens' father. He had an iron factory north of Coatesville. Rebecca grew up learning things that girls usually learned back then. In 1813, she married Dr. Charles Lukens. Her husband helped her father run the business.
Rebecca Lukens Takes Charge
Sadly, both her father and husband passed away within about a year of each other, in 1824 and 1825. This left Rebecca in charge of the entire business! It was very unusual for a woman to own and run a big company at that time. She even had to go through a legal battle to fully own the business, but she won. Rebecca worked hard until she retired in 1850. She then left the business to her children. Records show that she knew everything about how the factory worked and its money. She was deeply involved in managing it, even when men were the main workers.
Important Buildings in the District
The legacy of Rebecca Lukens is seen in Coatesville through four main properties. They are all located on South First Street, just south of Lincoln Highway.
- Brandywine: This was the family home where Rebecca grew up and lived her whole life. It started as a stone building in the Georgian colonial style. Over time, the family and later the Lukens Steel Company added more parts to it.
- Terracina: This beautiful house is a great example of a Carpenter Gothic country home. It was built by Rebecca Lukens as a wedding gift for her son.
- Graystone: Rebecca's grandson, Abram Huston, built this house in 1899. It's a high-quality example of Tudor Revival style.
- Lukens Main Office Building: This building is across the street from the three houses. It's a well-known example of Georgian Colonial Revival architecture in the area. Both the Main Office Building and Graystone were designed by the famous architectural firm of Cope & Stewardson.
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Brandywine Manor
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Lukens Main Office Building
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The Lukens #10 steam locomotive located near the Main Office Building
