So Doug, once more I will start a new thread to satisfy your curiousity about Ruiselede's windmill... or better make that mills...
In the glory days, way back, our town had 13 working windmills. Today however only three remain. 2 in the village and 1 in a nearby smaller comunity.
Because I had to be in the center of town, I decided to make a quick detour and show you our 2 windmills.
1) the "knok"mill
This brick mill was constructed in 1840, and somewhat restored in 1968. The mill was used to grind wheat into flour. It currently in private hands, but its in working order and is used on a regular basis. However, the structure will require some restoration works in the near future.
2) "Hostens"mill
A brick mill, constructed in 1774, to replace an old wooden mill. In 1847, the mill became property of the Hoste family. In 1857 major construction changes were made to it, since the newly build convent nearby affected the windpattern for the mill. So the structure got higher to have the full advantage again. In 1961, the mill-function was halted and the building started to decay. During the eighties, some badly needed restoration works took place. In 1997 the town of Ruiselede bought the mill and restored it to it's former glory, and added a polyvalent-room to it. The mill was used to produce oil and grind wheat. During the later years however, it was only used for flour. The entire construction is ready for action and works on a regular basis.
Both mills are protected monuments, as part of Flanders partimonium.
Sorry about the quality of these shots, the weather isn't exactly at its best...
Cheers,
Omag
In the glory days, way back, our town had 13 working windmills. Today however only three remain. 2 in the village and 1 in a nearby smaller comunity.
Because I had to be in the center of town, I decided to make a quick detour and show you our 2 windmills.
1) the "knok"mill
This brick mill was constructed in 1840, and somewhat restored in 1968. The mill was used to grind wheat into flour. It currently in private hands, but its in working order and is used on a regular basis. However, the structure will require some restoration works in the near future.
2) "Hostens"mill
A brick mill, constructed in 1774, to replace an old wooden mill. In 1847, the mill became property of the Hoste family. In 1857 major construction changes were made to it, since the newly build convent nearby affected the windpattern for the mill. So the structure got higher to have the full advantage again. In 1961, the mill-function was halted and the building started to decay. During the eighties, some badly needed restoration works took place. In 1997 the town of Ruiselede bought the mill and restored it to it's former glory, and added a polyvalent-room to it. The mill was used to produce oil and grind wheat. During the later years however, it was only used for flour. The entire construction is ready for action and works on a regular basis.
Both mills are protected monuments, as part of Flanders partimonium.
Sorry about the quality of these shots, the weather isn't exactly at its best...
Cheers,
Omag
