Hørning Mølle

Isn’t it fascinating how a simple windmill can hold so much history? Right before you stands Hørning Mølle, a testament to a bygone era. The original windmill, built back in 1858, was a Dutch-style windmill with a wingspan of 20 meters. Unfortunately, this beauty met a tragic end in 1874 when a fire swept through it. However, the story doesn’t end there. Hørning Mølle was rebuilt soon after by miller Søren Rask, who owned both the mill and the surrounding mill land. The mill remained his until he sold it to Peder Dam in 1882. This Hørning Mølle experienced a tumultuous time. Just before the turn of the 20th century, another fire swallowed the mill’s surroundings. However, it was rebuilt again, demonstrating the resilient character of this structure. Over the next few decades, the windmill changed hands a number of times, with various millers, each leaving their mark on this historic landmark. In the 1950s, Hørning Mølle found itself perched on the precipice of erasure. Its final owner, Tage Jensen, a car dealer, proposed to donate the mill to the local community in 1970. The condition? They would need to restore the old, worn structure. Both Hørning Kommune and the local housing cooperative, AAB, took up the challenge. They agreed to share the costs and responsibility for its renovation. The restoration began in 1972 but tragically never reached completion. In an unfortunate twist of fate, fire struck once again, on the 13th of July, 1974. This blaze consumed the 100-year-old Hørning Mølle, leaving only ashes. But as if bound by fate, Hørning Mølle would stand again. The local community, determined to maintain this symbol of their town’s past, made a decision: They would buy an existing windmill and bring it to Hørning. A new chance for a new beginning. Their choice fell upon a windmill in Stødov on Helgenæs, constructed around 1904, and standing strong until 1968. It was dismantled and transported to Hørning, being rebuilt anew with fresh windmill wings. Today, Hørning Mølle proudly stands as a beacon of the past and a vibrant member of the community. It’s a testament to the resilience of both the mill itself and the people of Hørning, a reminder of their shared history and a symbol of their determination to maintain the legacy of the past.