The windmill is a tower type built between 1802 and 1812, using derelict stone from Chesterton Manor.
When built, the windmill had a stone lower part, while the upper part was a red brick tower with batter. It had an Iron sheeted boat shaped cap with wheel and lulling gear, windshaft with poll end and brake wheel, four sails with staging, three pairs of stones and machinery. It is a six storey building with a total height of 70 feet.
20th century history
The windmill ceased working by sail in 1912 and was powered firstly by a steam engine, then by an oil engine and from the 1930s. Finally, it was powered by electricity until 1952 when it ceased milling. The stocks were removed in 1934. The boat shaped cap was removed in 1982 and replaced with a larger looking pitched roof. It became a Grade II listed building on 7th January 1952, and in 1988 the lower floors became part of a house.
Comments
Harbury Heritage has a mass of photos and memories based around the windmill. We also have the story of the miller being ground up around the upright shaft!
I lived in Harbury Mill as a teen in the 1990s. The top floor provided an excellent view of the village.
I spent a lot of time in the upper floors of the mill, sneaking up there to smoke and drink. I had a hammock strung in the support beams of the cap where I would go to read and be alone. At night, I would occasionally hear strange noises coming from the floor below, where the millstones were located and where at least one of the two fatalities in this mill’s operational history occurred.
I always felt uncomfortable any time I was on the same floor as the millstones. I have never really believed in ghosts but what I experienced living at the mill seemed like more than simply the product of my imagination.
Living in this beautiful and historic building was truly an extraordinary experience that I will always treasure. Harbury itself was very memorable, full of friendly, down to earth people. I never felt more connected to any community I have been part of. It was a fine place to grow up.
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