Took relatives on S.F. tour, and stopped at the newly-restored Dutch Windmill, just down the road from the Cliff House. Couldn't find any mention of who built it, why, or when. Is restoration of the "twin" windmill planned?

-- Shirley Stout (sls878@jps.net), August 07, 2000

Answers

The Dutch Windmill was originally constructed in 1903, for $25,000, and was 75 feet high, with blades 102 feet from tip to tip.

Murphy's Windmill (I call it the "wrotten tooth") was donated by Samuel G. Murphy, president of a bank. Started in 1905 at cost of $20,000 and was said to be the largest in the world. The blades are 114 feet, and the capacity 40,000 gal/hr.

Both mills pumped water for 20 years, the entire park's water supply; later mills were powered by electric motors.

From what I have learned the water level is 12 feet below the surface.

If you need detailed information about the Dutch Windmill, contact Richard Hansen at the Museum of the City of San Francisco, he was part of the reconstruction efforts. As to Murphy's Windmill, S.F. Park & Recreation Department should give you answers.

I personally cannot understand why such a historic windmill is left rotting away, together with the keeper's house next to it - and no one seems to care...

-- Wolfgang Schubert (chouby@aol.com), August 09, 2000.

Rang the S.F. Recreation & Park Department, Deborah Learner at 831-2741 who asked me to call Mike Leo 750-5110 who heads a private initiative for the restauration of the Murphy Windmill.

The city plans a pavillon close to the keeper's house, as part of their Westend improvements.

-- Shirley Chao (paochiun@aol.com), August 17, 2000.

can their be dutch windmills in watertown south dakota

-- sina berger (Whats_Up_2010@hotmail.com), April 23, 2002.

I like windmills

-- Kyle Stowvavd (kyle@kyle.net), March 26, 2004.

burnt_toast_2@hotmail.com

-- Maria van Zutphen (burnt_toast_2@hotmail.com), February 04, 2005.