Victoria Grist Windmill, Historic gristmill in Memorial Square, Victoria, United States.
The Victoria Grist Windmill is a Dutch-style rotating mill built with four large blades that catches wind from any direction. The wooden structure contains traditional grinding stones and is fully covered with protective wooden shakes for weatherproofing.
Built in 1870 by German immigrant craftsmen Fred Meiss Jr and Otto Fiek, the mill used grinding stones imported through a regional port. It became the sole remaining mill of its European design in the southwestern region.
The windmill reflects how German settlers brought their milling traditions to Texas and adapted them to local conditions. It shows the community's connection to European craftsmanship and agricultural practices.
The structure is located in downtown Victoria and can be easily spotted from the street in Memorial Square. Visitors can best view the craftsmanship and wooden construction during daylight hours when details are clearly visible.
The protective wooden shakes covering the mill were specially designed to withstand extreme weather and preserve the internal mechanism. This outer protective layer proved essential to the structure's survival across more than a century.
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