Windmill Buildings

Legat Windmill

Grove Avenue and Lincoln Avenue
Fox River Grove, IL 60021

This 30’ tall windmill was originally built on the private property of John Legat, Sr., one of the first residents of Fox River Grove.  This was a water-powered windmill, built purely for show.  In later years, Legat would charge a dime for people to explore this and other interesting items he had on his property.  In recent years, an effort was put forth to restore and relocate the windmill; however, this was too costly, and restoration efforts ceased in February of 2006.  The mill apparently still stands, though the current property owner is seeking its demolition.

Photo from ebay

Berthold's Flower Barn and Nursery

434 East Devon Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Website

Berthold’s Flower Barn and Nursery was established in 1940—sixteen years before Elk Grove Village was incorporated—and has been doing strong business ever since.  Curiously, it is also home to a miniature Dutch windmill that was, at one point, motorized to turn when Berthold’s was open for business.  During the 1990s, the mill was neglected, left to be overtaken by ivy.  Just a few years ago, the ivy was stripped from the mill and it received a new brown-and-white paint job.

Photo by Tom Haskell

Dutch Mill Fine Food

639 East Crescent Street
Gilman, IL 60938

The Dutch Mill restaurant in Gilman, IL features a windmill-inspired marquee, a Dutch-style theme, and all-American food.

Photo by Don Gardner

The Mill

735 South Washington Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Website

The Mill originally opened as the Blue Mill in 1929, featuring a completely blue exterior and interior with waitresses dressed in blue and white.  In 1945, a bar and dance hall was added, and The Mill gained a set of fake sails and a barn-red paint job.  Over the years the business was abandoned and the building was left to rot.  The restaurant is now completely refurbished after a major restoration project in 2007-08 and serves as a museum along historic Route 66.

Photo by roadmaven, Flickr

Irish Mill Inn

26592 North IL-Route 83
Mundelein, IL 60060
Website

This pub, under new ownership since December 2005, now features a newly remodeled kitchen, an expanded menu, and—of course—the iconic windmill building, all in Irish décor.

Photo from The Irish Mill Inn

Private Residence

Gary Avenue south of Geneva Road
Wheaton, IL 60187

This is a custom private home in Wheaton, IL and is a local icon.

Photo by Tom Haskell

Pioneer Motel

17600 Torrence Avenue
Lansing, IL 60438

Motel in Lansing, IL featuring a windmill over the office, illuminated at night in neon.

Photo by subliculous, Flickr

Oughton Windmill

Dwight, IL

This Aermotor wind engine stands in downtown Dwight, IL.  It was originally built to supply water for the estate of the Oughton family in 1896.  Rather than the traditional exposed lattice framework, however, the windmill is disguised in a building with architecture similar to that of a custom windmill.  The mill was restored in 1977 and again in 2003 to make it operational once more.  This windmill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Photo from Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor

Old Mill Tourist Camp

Industry, IL

This business was established in 1927 as a roadside oasis for the increasing number of tourists traveling by car.  Appropriately named, the Old Mill Tourist Camp featured rustic construction, cabins, and a teepee!  Later, a restaurant was also added to the structure.  Eventually, the business was abandoned and the buildings razed except for the center windmill, which still stands and was recently restored.

Photo by Dan around town, Flickr

The Mill

596 IL-Route 127
Greenville, IL 62246

This business once operated as a café known as the Dutch Mill.  The building changed hands several times and now operates as a bar called The Mill in a separate frame building.