Old Dutch Mill in Wagner Park in Smith Center, Kansas

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Click on Photos for larger view.

The photo to the right shows Wagner park where the Old Dutch Mill is situated. At one time this park had swinging bridges and lots of bushes. At that time playing there was a child's delight.

The plaque to the left reads:

History of Old Dutch Mill

Constructed by Charles G. Schwarz, native of Germany at Reamsville 1879-1882.

Original mill was 54 feet high and large wheel had a spread of 60 feet. Sail cloth was first used for fan blades. A tail wheel 10 feet in diameter kept the big wheel facing into the wind.

Mill stood at Reamsville over 50 years and used wind power to grind corn, wheat and other grain until about 1914 when a kerosene engine was installed for power. Mill was in service until about 1920.

With consent of Schwarz family, mill was moved to present location in 1938 as a NYA project. It was partially destroyed by fire March 16, 1955 but donations of cash and labor were used to restore it to its present condition.

This is one of the two such mills still standing in Kansas.