ILLINOIS WINDMILLS
Dedicated to the history, preservation, and continuing story of windmills in Illinois.
Welcome!
Welcome to Illinois Windmills, a website dedicated to the history, preservation, and continuing story of windmills in Illinois. Many associate Illinois with hundreds of towering white wind turbines spread over acres of farmland. Others may remember wind engines quietly pumping water for families in rural areas of the state.
But what many do not know is that during the nineteenth century, Illinois’ countryside could have easily been mistaken for Holland; the state was once home to over fifty custom wind grist mills. Sadly, only four still stand, and a fifth was constructed in 2000.
To get started, check out a custom mill profile, get answers to some frequently asked questions, learn more about the history of wind power, or contact me for more information.
The five surviving custom windmills in Illinois.
Click to learn more about them.