Custom Windmills
Schmidt Brothers Windmill
Benson Mill
Church Street, between State and Clayton
Benson, IL 61516
Status
Destroyed
Tower Height
56'
Sail Span
72' (approximately)
Uses
(1873 - ?) Wheat
(1873 - ?) Rye
(1873 - ?) Feed
Constructed
(1872 - 1873)
Millwright
J. M. Schmidt and brother
Owners
J. M. Schmidt and brother (1872 - ?)
F. H. Thielen (? - ?)
J. H. Monk (? - ?)
Schmidt Brothers Windmill
Photo courtesy Paul van den Berg
History
A lack of powerful streams near Benson led to the construction of
this windmill in 1872. The Dutch mill was completed a year later
at a cost of $10,000. Built, owned, and operated by the Schmidt
brothers, the mill operated three run of stone, grinding wheat, rye, and
feed. The mill changed hands over the years and was eventually
destroyed.
Because of its similarities in construction to the Prairie Mills
Windmill in Golden, IL the town of Benson offered to purchase the mill
in 1985, disassemble it, and relocate it in a park near where the
Schmidt Brothers’ windmill stood. The town of Golden refused the
sale, however, and chose to restore the
Prairie Mills Windmill.
Sources
-Moore, Roy. History of Woodford County. Eureka, Illinois: Woodford County Republican, 1910.
Images
Postcard courtesy Paul van den Berg
Postcard courtesy Paul van den Berg
