John Baker's Mill, Tower mill in Barnham, England
John Baker's Mill is a four-story grain mill in Barnham featuring a distinctive copper dome and tarred stucco walls. The building preserves its original internal milling machinery and now functions as part of a bakery operation.
The mill was built in 1829 by millwright Henry Martin of Bognor, replacing an earlier post mill destroyed by strong winds in 1827. This new construction modernized grain processing at the site for the following decades.
The mill takes its name from the Baker family, who shaped the grain milling trade here over multiple generations. It served as a vital center for the community and anchored the food supply chain for the surrounding area.
The mill is accessible today as part of a bakery business and operates on electricity, while the original milling machinery is preserved inside. Visitors can view the historic grain processing system even though it no longer relies on wind power.
During World War II, the British Royal Air Force used the mill's elevated position as an observation post for military surveillance operations. This wartime role demonstrates how the building's height made it strategically valuable for defense purposes.
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