“Anno 1780” reads the inscription. That’s when they built Lijkermolen No 1. This twelve-sided wonder stands before you. It’s unique. There’s no other windmill quite like it in all of the Netherlands.
The Lijkermolen No 1 is more than just a pretty face. It’s a vital part of Dutch history. It helped drain the Veender and Lijkerpolder. This was no small feat. The land had to be dried. This was necessary to make it usable for farming. This all happened long ago.
The unusual shape? That’s down to the bricklayers. They believed a twelve-sided structure would be stronger. More importantly it would be better at keeping out water than a round one. They weren’t wrong. The mill has stood strong for centuries.
Lijkermolen No 1 and its neighbor No 2 are the only twelve-sided windmills in the country. They were built by skilled craftsmen. Tijmen Paddenburg and Pieter Obdam did the carpentry. Hendrik Maart did the brickwork. Imagine the dedication needed to construct something so impressive back then.
The mill has had its ups and downs. In 1951 its mechanism needed serious work. The scoop wheel had to be replaced and deepened. This required a huge amount of effort. It was a complicated process. Later it got new sails. This created a brief legal battle. The new design infringed on a patent. Ordinary sails eventually replaced the innovative ones.
The Lijkermolen No 1 worked until the 1980s. Then it was neglected. Its state of repair was poor. Thankfully a major restoration took place in 1996. Today Lijkermolen No 1 still turns. It continues to protect the polder from floods. It does this on a voluntary basis. Even better in 2019 the mill got completely new sails. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. A truly amazing sight. It’s one of those places you will never forget.
The mill has seen many millers. Albert and F Bisschop were some of them. Leen Kerkvliet worked there. Willem van der Pouw Kraan dedicated his life to it. He looked after it until 1985. He passed away in 2014 at the impressive age of 99. Many people worked very hard on it.
Lijkermolen No 1 is more than just a mill. It’s a symbol of Dutch resilience. It’s a testament to human skill. It’s a breathtaking sight. It truly is a piece of living history. And it is a wonder to behold.