arly American settlers, moving west across the vast prairies and plains of this country, had to find ways to acquire and maintain a water supply for their survival and for the well-being of their livestock. Inspired by the wind driven mills used in Europe to grind flour, settlers quickly learned to harness the incessant wind to suit their needs. Before long, sleek wooden - then iron - schematics were designed to utilize the power of the wind to pull water out of deep artesian wells in the earth. The familiar American windmills once dotted the countryside like giant sunflowers, but many were dismantled over the past half-century as underground water feed systems proliferated. A new century brings a new aesthetic however, and there are rumblings of a windmill renaissance in the marketplace.

Businesses such as The Aermotor Company of Chicago, which emerged in 1888, have made few changes in the design of the instrument that revolutionized farming and ranching on the plains. For the century or more that many of these humble windmills were in use, they withstood whatever elements barreled down on them and reliably provided the essential stream of water that kept families and herds alive. Now, after years of relative anonymity, the windmill is making a comeback, partly for its beauty and partly because of the demand for alternatives to traditional energy suppliers.

Choosing between antique and new windmills for water retrieval is largely a matter of choice, but the first thing you need to do is find a reputable merchant. Check with local antiques dealers and/or manufacturers of contemporary windmills, or try conducting an online search. A good merchant will have general knowledge of the mechanical function of windmills, and may be able to provide you with historical background on the windmill you're interested in. Make sure your dealer knows what you are looking for, whether you want an object of art or a working piece of machinery to aerate a pond or to pump waters. Your dealer should be able to put you in touch with a company that can do the well drilling and casing placement. New windmills have replaceable parts, but the old windmills were cast as one unit and their parts are sometimes difficult or expensive to replace, so make sure your dealer can locate the parts you need. Like anything else that's stood the test of time outdoors, old windmills are often quite weathered, sporting dents and bullet holes in their fan blades. Such imperfections give life to disappearing legends, but too many holes can be a hazard, so stay away from parts with a lot of physical damage.

Next, set a budget. Determine how much money you are willing to spend and find out what the going rate is on the parts you are looking for, which can vary considerably. For example, open-gear, steel windmills from 1890 to 1920 with popular name brands such as Monitor, Dempster, Samson and Challenge can start at about $750, but it isn't unheard of to pay thousands of dollars for a well-functioning windmill. Other factors that will influence your total cost include the depth of your well and the diameter of the windmill wheel.

When estimating cost, don't forget to include shipping and installation fees, which you may or may not be responsible for. While erecting the windmill yourself may save you a few dollars initially, you might want to hire a professional, depending on how much time you can spend and the level of your construction skills. Assembling and erecting a windmill can take one to seven days, depending on how much in-ground work needs to be done.

Maintaining a newer windmill requires little more than a bi-annual check to fill the oil reservoir. Very old models, however, especially those built before 1915, may need an oil bath once a week to keep them in proper running order. Treat your windmill with care and it will run for the generations - a functional treasure from the past and a practical solution for the future.  -Shannon Dunham

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Somewhere in Colorado by Bob Wise

Reflection in a Stock Tank by Bob Wise
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A windmill turning in the breeze is as natural in days gone by as are cornfields and barns. But windmills are a vanishing icon of our countryside. Near Foosland, Ill. I had the opportunity to meet a windmiller. If you’ve never heard that term, it’s because Paul Behrends is one of the very few left in the business.

Paul’s interest in windmills started with a great uncle who ran the Aeromotor Windmill Company in Chicago, one of the most prominent manufacturers in the industry. In their heyday, around the turn of the century, the windmill was used to pump well water for livestock. This type of water-pumping windmill was a true American invention, with Aeromotor serving as a leader in the technology associated with blade and gear design. As the Rural Electrification Act brought electricity to the country, the windmill was no longer necessary, leaving it to the ravages of time and weather.

As Paul saw the rural landscape was changing, with new pole buildings replacing old barns and trusty windmills rusting away, he decided to do something about it. In 1993 he restored his first windmill and things have taken off since then.

Although he maintains a full time career, Paul’s side business and hobby keeps him busy year around. As a windmiller, Paul not only restores windmills, but also installs and services them. Today people have begun to take an interest in them again, either for nostalgic or practical purposes, and that’s where Paul’s services come in.

Time and weather are generally not friendly to a windmill, so in many cases Paul replaces parts such as the blades and tail. The gearbox, which is the mechanism that makes a windmill turn, is cleaned and put back together. When working on very old windmills or obscure brands, Paul has to employ some research methods to find original literature to help him in his work. Once he has the head of the windmill back together, it’s time for installation. Paul usually has to do some type of structural work on the tower before installing the head. The tower also acts as his scaffolding during installation.

Tagging along on an installation near Marshall, we saw how an eight-foot diameter Aeromotor windmill was hoisted onto the top of the tower. Paul has little fear of heights as he stands on a small service platform and does his work. With one guy on the ground and Paul standing at the top, the head is cranked up the side of the tower. Paul generally completes between 20 and 30 restorations and installations per year and his work is seen all over the state. Once the work is done, all the customer needs to do it put oil in the gearbox once a year and enjoy.

Back at his shop and home, Paul already has one windmill blowing in the breeze, but is almost done with another.

While we tend to think of windmills made out of sheet metal, some of the older models were made out of wood and much more decorative than the metal ones. Paul's 1895 Perkins Windmill has a 10-foot diameter wheel, painted white with red trim. It’s something he’s quite proud of and will stand out in the rural landscape.