Prairie Mills Windmill, Dutch smock windmill in Golden, Illinois
The Prairie Mills Windmill is a Dutch-style mill in Golden featuring original grinding stones and wooden gear systems inside. The structure still contains the mechanical components that were once used to process various grains from the surrounding prairie farmland.
Henry Emminga built this mill in 1873 using local oak timber and French millstones. His son Harm took over the operation shortly after, continuing the family's milling business on the prairie.
The mill complex demonstrates how people lived and worked on the prairie during the late 1800s. You can observe the grinding process and learn about the daily tools and methods that sustained prairie communities.
The mill complex is open to visitors from late spring through fall with guided tours available. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring the interior involves climbing stairs and navigating the narrow passages inside the windmill.
This is the only operational windmill in Illinois featuring patent shutter sails rather than traditional canvas ones. This mechanical innovation from the era makes it a rare example of late 1800s engineering solutions adapted for prairie milling.
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