Fischer Windmill Historic Site: A Dutch Touch in Elmhurst

The Fischer Windmill Historic Site offers a glimpse into the past with its well-preserved Dutch windmill. Located within the grounds of Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois, the windmill is a striking landmark that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Construction on the mill began in 1865 by Henry Frederick Fischer, whose family had emigrated from Germany and farmed extensively in the area. Interestingly, Fischer's brothers-in-law also constructed the Graue Mill. The Fischer Windmill was built using prefabricated parts shipped from the Netherlands, and its construction took nearly three years. The hand-crafted mill features cypress beams and gears made of hickory and white oak. It originally had white pine sails spanning 74 feet, making it one of the largest in Illinois. The mill ground wheat and corn until around 1916. In 1925, the Mount Emblem Cemetery Association acquired the land and preserved the windmill as a museum. Although the west wing was later removed to make way for a parking lot, the remaining structure has been renovated over the years, most recently in 2015. Today, the Fischer Windmill stands as a testament to the area's rich agricultural history and the ingenuity of its early settlers. Visitors can stroll the cemetery grounds and admire the windmill's architecture, as well as the surrounding landscaping, which includes Lake Emblem, evergreens, and lilac bushes.