Pointe-Claire Windmill facts for kids
| Moulin à vent de Pointe-Claire | |
Pointe-Claire windmill in winter
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| Coordinates | 45°25′30″N 73°49′32″W / 45.42511°N 73.8256°W |
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| Location | 1 rue Saint-Joachim, Pointe-Claire |
| Width | 4 metres (13 ft) |
| Height | 7.5 metres (25 ft) |
| Completion date | 1710 |
The Pointe-Claire Windmill is a super old building in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada. It's also known by its French name, Moulin à vent de Pointe-Claire. This amazing windmill is the oldest one on the entire island of Montreal! It's one of only 18 windmills still standing in all of Quebec.
Let's talk about how this windmill was built! Just like most windmills in New France (that's what Canada was called back then), it followed a French design. It's a round stone tower with a special roof that could turn. This roof had a long pole, called a tail pole. Workers could use it to turn the roof and the windmill's sails to catch the wind.
The mill had two doors. This was handy because no matter which way the sails were facing, there was always an easy way in or out. The walls at the bottom are super thick, about 1.32 meters (that's over 4 feet!). Inside, the mill is about 3.6 meters wide and 7.3 meters tall.
When it was first built, the windmill had high platforms inside. These were placed under narrow openings, like tiny windows, for defense. The area around the mill was even fenced with sharp wooden stakes! Luckily, the windmill was never attacked.
The Oldest Windmill in Pointe-Claire
This historic windmill has stood for centuries. It's a great example of early engineering in Canada. Windmills like this one were very important for grinding grain into flour. This flour was used to make bread and other foods for the people living in the area.
How Windmills Work
A windmill uses the power of the wind to turn large sails. These sails are connected to machinery inside the tower. As the wind pushes the sails, they spin. This spinning motion powers large grinding stones. The stones then crush grain, like wheat or corn, into fine flour. It was a clever way to use natural energy before electricity existed!
A Look Back in Time: Key Dates
The Pointe-Claire Windmill has a long and interesting history. Here are some important moments:
- 1709: Construction began in the spring. It was built for a group called the Society of Saint-Sulpice. A skilled stone mason named Jean Mars worked on the stone parts. Léonard Paillé dit Paillard and his son Charles helped with other parts of the building.
- 1710: The windmill was finished in the autumn. A small wooden house for the miller, the person who operated the mill, was also built.
- 1824: The windmill received a big update and renovation.
- 1837: It was sold to Amable de Saint-Julien, a farmer from Rigaud.
- 1866: The windmill was sold twice in this year! First, it went to the Fabrique de Saint-Joachim-de-la-Pointe-Claire. Then, it was sold to the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, a group of nuns.
- Around 1885: The windmill got brand new sails.
- 1954: More restoration work was done, and a new cone-shaped roof was added.
- 1967: The windmill received another set of new sails.
- 1983: The Pointe-Claire Windmill was officially recognized as a monument of Quebec. This means it's a very important historical site!
