Bourne Windmill, Oakdale, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bourne Windmill |
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View of the Bourne Windmill 1975
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Bourne Windmill |
| Mill location | Oakdale, New York |
| Coordinates | 40°44′15″N 73°06′15″W / 40.73750°N 73.10417°W |
| Year built | 1911 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Water supply |
| Type | American Farm |
| Year lost | 2004 |
The Bourne Windmill in Oakdale, New York, was a tall windmill built in 1911. It was designed like windmills found on American farms. A wealthy man named Frederic G. Bourne had it built for his dairy farm. This windmill was located near his large home, Indian Neck Hall, which later became a school called LaSalle Military Academy. Sadly, the Bourne Windmill was taken down in 2004 or 2005.
Contents
History of the Bourne Windmill
Building the Windmill
The Bourne Windmill was built in 1911. It was ordered by Frederic G. Bourne, who was known as "Commodore" Bourne. A famous architect named Alfred Hopkins designed the windmill.
The windmill was part of the Bourne Dairy Farm. Its main job was to pump water. This water was used for the dairy farm, the farmhouse, and even for fountains and fire hydrants. The Andrew J. Corcoran Company built the working parts of the windmill.
Unique Design and Features
The Bourne Windmill was very special. It stood about 100 feet (30 meters) tall. Its large blades were 25 feet (7.6 meters) across. The tower had a unique eight-sided shape. It was made from strong reinforced concrete pillars. Terracotta blocks filled the spaces between the pillars. The outside was covered in smooth stucco.
The windmill was also decorated with terracotta ram's heads. These were placed around the tower. The top part of the tower held a big metal water tank. The bottom part was used as a silo to store animal feed.
Later Years and Demolition
By the 1970s, the farm buildings around the windmill started to fall apart. They were damaged by not being cared for and by vandalism. These buildings were taken down around 1975.
The windmill itself was also neglected through the 1980s. It became a home for bats and owls. It was also a popular, spooky spot for local teenagers to hang out.
In 1989, the land around the windmill was redeveloped. New homes were built for older adults. The windmill then got a strange new look. Its original American farm-style blades were replaced with fake Dutch-style blades. A barn roof was added to the top. The tower was painted a light yellow to match the new houses.
Even though it was a historic site, the windmill was eventually torn down. This happened in 2004 or 2005. Engineers said it would be too expensive to keep the structure safe.
