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1934 Century of Progress

Dutch Village Windmill
Century of Progress Fairgrounds
Northerly Island
Chicago, IL 60605

Status

Removed.

 

The Dutch Village windmill.

 

 

History of the Mill

 

Similar to the World Exposition in 1893, the Century of Progress Fair added foreign villages to the grounds for the 1934 show.  Although fair directors initially intended to have Christian Heidemann’s windmill on display, the family refused.  Instead, this faux windmill was erected. Although some accounts claim that the windmill was operable, photographs reveal that the sails were built without an angle of weather. The bottom floor was completely exposed and served as an open-air restaurant.

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