When I think of Windmill houses, I think of the Netherlands and tulips and clogs. The Dutch were the first to develop “windmill technology” to help fight water shortages and they still have thousands of windmills and even have a National Windmill Day. But what about in the United States, do we have windmill houses? I found some, starting out with one from my home town of Wheaton, Illinois
I passed by this house multiple times during my time living in Wheaton and always had to slow down a bit and look. This one is exceptional and is a private residence. Built in 1942 by a German family who raised 12 children there, the youngest of which is now the owner. It was built with materials recycled from a farm in the same town. Upon entering the front door you can look straight up and see the mechanisms of the windmill, but otherwise, you cannot see anything about the windmill while inside any part of the home.
Many thanks to Erica Smith via Flickr for the awesome pictures of the Wheaton Windmill house!!
More windmill houses: This windmill house is in Yarmouth, MA and I think is for sale. The listing says it is $2,000 and I keep thinking this is a mistake. Would you buy a windmill house? UPDATE 2013: This Windmill house is no longer for sale. The $2,000 was the rental price at the time of this original posting.
It has a little kitchen.
Living room
Two bedrooms, with stairs that look like they go up to the windmill area judging by the shape of the entrance at the top of the stairs.
Nice view of Bass River.
Located in Amana, Iowa. This is called Powder House and the plaque on the side says “The original use of this building is unknown. It was used to manufacture a food additive for hogs from 1908-1932, so that it is commonly referred to as the “Hog Powder House.”
Early settlers of Pella, Iowa were from the Netherlands and their historical district has windmills.
Per weirdnj.com, this windmill is in Barnegat, New Jersey and was built over 100 years ago. It was lived in by a variety of tenants and has a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bath. It needs some updates for a new tenant!
You can vacation in the windmill house in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. A hallway connects the windmill to the house.
So ends my tour of windmill houses. If you know of a windmill house in your area, let me know.
Check out Valentine’s Day Houses and Polka Dot House
I (I’m Ann) used to live in the Windmill house in Barnegat, NJ 36 years ago. I now live right down the road from it and my heart breaks each time I drive by it because it is in such poor condition. When my family and I lived in it there was no heat so my dad installed the heat in the dead of winter. I can remember that house like the back of my hand and have many memories of living there. I just wish I knew who owns it now. I have some updated pictures of it but your picture shows it in MUCH MUCH better condition.
@Ann Lightbody Dockery Hi Ann, first I am so happy to hear from you about the Barnegat Windmill house, and secondly I am tearful at once while reading your reply about your memories living there and knowing the house like the back of your hand, and driving by it with living so close and having to see its current state of demise. I know what it means to see a house once lived in and loved and now no longer kept up. It is by far a most wonderful looking windmill house and could really be something so unique if someone would restore it. I think updated pix of the house would be nice to see, but if it is now not as nice looking, then let’s leave well enough alone and keep good thoughts about it here. Again, I am honored to hear from you Ann.
Fondly,
Sue
Thanks for using my photos of the house in Wheaton! (I’m Erika). I had no idea about the history of the house, so I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing all these great houses!
Hi Erika, Your welcome and thank you again too. Thanks for visiting my blog.
I grew up in Wheaton! I remember this house but not where I’ve seen it. Can you let me know? Thanks so much!
Hi Laura. I grew up there too! The windmill house is on Geneva Road just a bit south of North Avenue.
Laura, I have a correction. It is not on Geneva Road, it is on Gary Avenue.
Thanks Sue! If you don’t mind me asking when did yo live in Wheaton and where did you go to high school? I’m just wondering if we know each other.
What a good education on windmill houses. thank you
Thank you for your help with this post Connie