Prairie Mills Windmill, Illinois: One of the Few Remaining Dutch-Style Smock Windmills

Here in Golden, Illinois, we're very proud of our Prairie Mills Windmill.

Built in 1872, this 92-foot-tall landmark is one of only four Dutch-style smock windmills left in Illinois. It operated until the 1930s and was recently restored to working condition by the Golden Historical Society. I'm sure the original wooden gears and huge millstones, one of which weighs 5,000 pounds, will impress you!

Golden is on State Highway 94 in west-central Illinois, about 5 miles north of U.S. Highway 24 and roughly 33 miles northeast of Quincy.

The windmill is on Prairie Mills Road, about a 1/2 mile east of Highway 94. It's open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday from May through October and by appointment

on weekdays; also open by appointment the rest of the year. Guided tours are $3 for adults and $1 for students; an adjacent museum is wheelchair accessible.

For more information, call Norma Beckett at 1-271/ 696-4678.