San Francisco, California - World's Largest Dutch Windmill

The World's Largest Dutch Windmill stands in Golden Gate Park just outside of San Francisco. The windmill was originally built in 1902 to pump fresh water to irrigate farms around the area. The windmill worked and stood proudly for many years until large-scale electricity became available to the area and thus ended the need for a wind-driven water pump.

The windmill fell into decline but was refurbished over a long period from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Recent examinations find the windmill has again fallen upon hard times and is in need of a complete overhaul. After standing for over 100 years in a harsh sea-side environment it would be a shame to lose this landmark now.

The same park also contains a second, lesser known windmill built for the same purpose as the Dutch windmill. This windmill, known as the Murphy Windmill (for the man who shelled out the $20,000.00 for it's construction) is also in a state of disrepair. [Greg Brown, 10/25/2005]