Windmill Houses

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!