De Witte Molen - Meeuwen, NL
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T-Team!
N 51° 43.746 E 005° 01.128
31U E 639420 N 5732837
This is the Windmill "De Witte Molen" in Meeuwen. It used to be located across the street in the industrial area. It was moved in 1986 (according to sign on site (website mentions 1987)) to its current location.
Waymark Code: WM156B9
Location: Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Date Posted: 10/25/2021
Views: 3
History of the Windmill:
"The Mèèuwense meule was built in 1740 by order of the noble person Van Hemert, lord of the high lordships Meeuwen and Eethen. On the text above the main door, it is written that Johannes Maurits van Hemert laid the first stone and that Diederick was allowed to put the last stone in the right place. Two pairs of stones were placed in the mill, suitable for grinding grain. The architectural style of this flour mill remained low, so we speak of a ground sailor, officially: a round stone ground sailor. The flight of the blades is 24 meters and is rigged with the Old Dutch Wiek system.
Mill 1
All the farmers who lived in the seigniory of Meeuwen were forced to have their grain milled in the lord's mill.
In 1941, the blades are fitted with so-called Van Busselneuzen, which results in a higher yield. De Meulen is one of the first mills in our area to undergo this improvement. During the bombing of Meeuwen at the end of 1944, the mill was also heavily damaged.
After the liberation, the mill is repaired by the Vos family, including a rod from the mill from Brakel. The milling of grain for the farmers, destined for livestock, started again. Over the years, more and more small animal feeds are made. The pigeon food in particular is very popular. Grinding gives way to mixing. After the switch to electricity to power the millstones, the meule is hardly used anymore. The shed next to the meule, where the grinding chair is, will be replaced by large factory halls. The factory is given the name De Witte Molen and is a household name among the many pigeon fanciers far beyond the national borders.
Mill 2
The Vos brothers sold their company to the Alanheri company in the 1970s. The pigeon lofts are disappearing (these animals eat a whole truck full of feed in two weeks) and the mill is neglected. It even threatens to be demolished around 1980.
The Mill Foundation Land van Heusden en Altena can buy the mill for the symbolic amount of one guilder. In order for the mill to run again, it must be moved. In 1987, in the pouring rain, the mill was transported to the north side of the Provincial Road on a platform truck with 24 axles and placed at its current location. Here the mill has enough wind again.
Due to a lack of money, it will take almost eight years before the White Mill is completely restored. On the occasion of the opening in 1995, Meeuwen celebrates ten days of celebration. Since then, the blades of the mill have regularly turned their rounds again and visitors can view the mill and get a tour."
Source (
visit link)
A picture of the move of the Windmill can also be seen on this website.