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| About the Campaign | History of the Windmills | Restoration Plan | How to Get Involved |
Questions About the Campaign A. A campaign spearheaded by a group of concerned citizens to restore the two windmills located at the western end of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and develop the area into a new San Francisco destination for education and recreation. Q. What is the current state of the South Windmill? A. The South Windmill has lost its sails, fantail and deck. The interior wooden stairs, base, windmill supports and the rotating cap are badly in need of repair. | |
Q. What is the house that is located next to the South Windmill? A. The Millwright’s Cottage is adjacent to the South Windmill - when the windmills were operational, this structure housed the millwright. Unfortunately, this historic building requires extensive seismic work that is not currently within the purview of this project. |
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A. In 1901, the park’s superintendent, John McLaren, proposed a huge windmill at the western end of the park. This windmill would take advantage of the winds to pump water for the park’s irrigation system. In 1902, the North Windmill was completed at a cost of $25,000 to the City of San Francisco. Samuel Murphy donated $20,000 for the construction of the second windmill in 1905. Additional donations of materials from involved citizens made the construction of this windmill possible. | |
A. In 1913, the City decided to power the windmills electrically to increase efficiency, thus eliminating their primary function and hastening deterioration. Q. If the North Windmill was already cosmetically restored, what still needs to be done? A. The North Windmill has significant insect and water damage. The gallery is unstable and unsafe to visitors. The windmill’s current wood shingles need to be replaced. Paintings on the windmill’s interior require restoration. |
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A.In 1964, Mrs. Eleanor Rossi Crabtree spearheaded a campaign to raise funds and city awareness to revitalize the windmills. The cosmetic restoration of the North Windmill included a full cleaning of the windmill’s interior and surrounding area, replacement of delapidated woodwork, a new exterior deck and new spars. In 1981, the campaign completed the North Windmill’s cosmetic restoration. | |
Q. What is involved in the restoration planned for completion in 2006? What does it offer the public? South Windmill The rotating cap of the windmill was transported to Holland where Lucas Verbij, a windmill expert, will bring it to working condition. The base will be renovated locally so that it will hold up to new uses. The interior will be restored for public access on ground and gallery levels. A multi-media installation will allow visitors to experience the working mechanisms at the top of the windmill. |
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The gallery will be repaired so that it is stable and usable. The exterior will be returned to its original slate construction. The wood shingles, fan deck and interior wall paintings will be restored. Interpretive Programming Programming related to alternative energy sources and wind power may be offered at the Community Center Pavilion. | |
A meadow and pond will be developed near the South Windmill. A one-third mile pedestrian trail and a mile-long biking loop will connect the windmills.
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A. The North and South Windmills helped transform the western end of Golden Gate Park from sand dunes into the park that San Francisco residents and visitors enjoy today. Restoring these landmarks helps to preserve San Francisco’s rich history and its treasures. The restoration transforms the windmills and surrounding area into a new venue for education and recreation. Q. Who is involved in the Campaign? · Don Propstra, Campaign Chairman How to Get Involved A. To volunteer, donate to the campaign or for general information, please call Marchpartners at (415) 668-0763 or e-mail the campaign at marchpartners@hotmail.com.
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