Fabyan Windmill: A Dutch Treasure in Illinois

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Discover a historic Dutch windmill in Illinois: tour a beautifully restored 1850s treasure within the scenic Fabyan Forest Preserve.

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Fabyan Windmill

The Fabyan Windmill, a fully restored Dutch windmill dating back to the 1850s, stands proudly in Geneva, Illinois, within the Fabyan Forest Preserve. Originally built in Lombard, Illinois, it was moved to its current location in 1914 by Colonel George Fabyan. Today, it's a popular historical landmark offering tours and a glimpse into the region's past.

A brief summary to Fabyan Windmill

1500 Crissey Ave, Batavia, Illinois, 60510, US
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Saturday 1 pm-4 pm
Sunday 1 pm-4 pm

Local tips

Visit during the summer months for the best experience, as tours are typically offered from June through September.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden for a full experience of the Fabyan estate.
Check the Kane County Forest Preserve District website for the most up-to-date information on tour schedules and special events.

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Getting There

Driving

The Fabyan Windmill is located within Fabyan Forest Preserve, just north of Batavia, Illinois, off Illinois Route 25. From I-88, take the Farnsworth Avenue exit and head north. Farnsworth Avenue becomes Kirk Road. Turn left onto Fabyan Parkway, then right onto Route 31 (Batavia Avenue). The entrance to Fabyan Forest Preserve will be the first right after the intersection. Follow signs to parking near the windmill. Parking is free and readily available.
Walking

If already within Fabyan Forest Preserve, follow the paved paths leading east from the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden. The windmill is visible from most points within the preserve. The walk is a little over 0.25 miles and relatively flat. There are three parking lots offering at least 50 parking spots- Up top near windmill for easiest access or, park at the bottom and walk up the hill to the windmill site.

Discover more about Fabyan Windmill

Nestled within the scenic Fabyan Forest Preserve along the Fox River, the Fabyan Windmill is a majestic and well-preserved Dutch-style windmill. This 68-foot, five-story structure dates back to the 1850s, when it was constructed by German craftsman Louis Blackhaus in what is now Lombard, Illinois. The mill was built from a prefabricated kit, shipped from the Netherlands, and assembled on site.In 1914, Colonel George Fabyan, a wealthy businessman, purchased the disused windmill for approximately $8,000 and had it moved to his estate, Riverbank, in Geneva. Fabyan invested a significant amount to move, reconstruct, and restore the mill,tasking the Edgar E. Belding Company with carefully dismantling it piece by piece, marking each beam with Roman numerals to ensure accurate reassembly. The restored mill became a unique feature of Fabyan's estate, which also included a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed villa and a Japanese garden.After falling into disrepair, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County undertook a major restoration project in the 1990s, contracting Dutch millwright Lucas Verbij to bring the windmill back to its original grandeur. The Fabyan Windmill is one of the finest examples of a working Dutch windmill in the United States. Although the windmill's grinding mechanisms have been restored, it no longer grinds grain, except during occasional demonstrations. Visitors can explore the windmill's interior and learn about its history and operation during guided tours. The windmill is open for tours on Sundays from June through September.