Golden Gate Park windmills, Historic tower mills in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, US
The Golden Gate Park windmills are two working structures with wooden frames and rotating tops positioned at the western edge of the park. They display different sizes and designs, each constructed to serve the park's water management needs.
These structures were built in the early 1900s to pump groundwater for irrigating the park as it transformed from sand dunes into green spaces. They played an important role in establishing and maintaining this public area during its formative years.
The windmills reflect Dutch architectural traditions that shaped industrial design in early 20th-century America. Walking around them, you notice how European building methods found their way into the American landscape.
You can find the windmills on the western side of the park and reach them through various park entrances. The surrounding area is easy to explore on foot, and you may want to allow extra time to wander through nearby gardens.
One of the two mills was known for its unusually large sails that could move a significant amount of water per hour. This size made the structure stand out compared to similar mills elsewhere.
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