Dutch Windmill (Golden Gate Park)

The Dutch Windmill is the northern of two functioning windmills, the other being Murphy Windmill, on the western edge of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California.[1] It was completed in 1903,[2] and placed on the San Francisco Designated Landmark list on December 6, 1981.[3]

Dutch Windmill
Origin
Mill locationGolden Gate Park
Coordinates37.770732°N 122.509403°W / 37.770732; -122.509403
Operator(s)San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department
Year built1903
Information
PurposeWater Pump
TypeTower
No. of sails4
Other information102 foot sail length

History

In the 1870s and 1880s, Golden Gate Park was planted on sand dunes and required substantial irrigation.[4] In 1902, the Park Commission authorized the construction of two windmills to pump groundwater for park irrigation rather than purchasing water at exorbitant costs from the Spring Valley Water Company.[5] The Dutch Mill was completed one year later and pumped 30,000 gallons per hour.[6]

Electric water pumps replaced the need for windmills in 1913, and the mill fell into disrepair. By the 1950s, the mill was in a state of ruin.

Restoration

In 1964, the San Francisco Citizens Commission for the Restoration of the Golden Gate Park Windmills was formed and led by Eleanor Rossi Crabtree, daughter of former San Francisco mayor Angelo Rossi. The windmill was restored in 1981. The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden is located next to the Dutch Mill.

See also

References
  1. "Golden Gate Park Windmills & Tulips". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. "Windmills of California". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. "San Francisco Preservation Bulletin No. 9 San Francisco Landmarks". Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  4. ""Pacific Service" as an Aid to Nature in Golden Gate Park". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  5. "Campaign to save the Golden Gate Park Windmills". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  6. "Dutch Windmill". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
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