Old Dutch Mill - Smith Center KS
Posted by: PeterNoG
N 39° 46.850 W 098° 47.050
14S E 518482 N 4403454
This windmill is in Wagner Park on Madison St in Smith Center.
Waymark Code: WM6P76
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 06/29/2009
Views: 16
~ From on site sign ~
History of Old Dutch Mill
Constructed by Charles G. Schwarz, native of Germany at Reamsville 1879-1882
Original mill was 54 feet high and large wheel had a spread of 60 feet. Sail cloth was first used for fan blades. The tail wheel 10 feet in diameter kept the big wheel facing the wind.
Mill stood at Reamsville over 50 years and used wind power to grind corn, wheat and other grain until about 1914 when a kerosene engine was installed for power. Mill was in service until about 1920.
With consent of Schwarz family mill was moved to present location in 1938 as an NYA project. It was partially destroyed by fire March 16, 1955 but donations of cash and labor were used to restore it to its present condition.
This is one of the two such mills still standing in Kansas.
Date of Manufacture: 01/01/1882
Purpose: Milling
Open to the public: yes
Is This Windmill Functional?: No
Windmill Farm: no
Cost: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Museum on Site: no
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Visit Instructions:
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