Murphy Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Murphy Windmill |
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| Origin | |
| Mill location | Golden Gate Park |
| Coordinates | 37°45′50″N 122°30′29″W / 37.764°N 122.508°W |
| Operator(s) | San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department |
| Year built | 1908 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Water Pump |
| Type | Smock |
| No. of sails | 4 |
| Other information | 114 foot sail length |
The Murphy Windmill is a large, working windmill located in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, United States. It was finished in 1908. This historic windmill was added to the San Francisco Designated Landmark list in the year 2000.
Where to Find the Windmill
The Murphy Windmill is on the western side of Golden Gate Park. It stands south of another famous windmill, the Dutch Windmill. Both are in San Francisco, California.
The Windmill's Story
In the late 1800s, Golden Gate Park was built on sandy land. It needed a lot of water to keep its plants alive. In 1902, the Park Commission decided to build two windmills. These windmills would pump water from underground. This was cheaper than buying water from a company.
The Murphy Windmill was completed in 1908. It could pump about 40,000 gallons of water every day for the park. That's a lot of water!
However, by 1913, electric water pumps became popular. These new pumps made the windmills less needed. So, the Murphy Windmill slowly fell apart. By the 1950s, it was in very bad condition.
In 1964, a group of citizens formed a commission. They wanted to fix the windmills in Golden Gate Park. This group was led by Eleanor Rossi Crabtree. Her father, Angelo Rossi, used to be the mayor of San Francisco.
Plans to restore the Murphy Windmill started in 2002. After a lot of hard work, the windmill was finally reopened in 2012. It was officially named a San Francisco Designated Landmark on July 2, 2000.
Fun Events at the Windmill
Since its reopening in 2012, the Dutch community in the Bay Area has celebrated King's Day near the Murphy Windmill. This special event happens every year in late April. It's a fun way to celebrate Dutch culture and traditions. You can find old Dutch kids' games, a flea market, Dutch food, music, and dancing.
