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Oughton Estate Windmill: A Symbol of Dwight's History

Visit the historic Oughton Estate Windmill in Dwight, IL: a symbol of innovation and a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

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The Oughton Estate Windmill, a towering landmark in Dwight, Illinois, was built in 1896 to supply water to the Oughton Estate. Today, it stands as a testament to the town's history and the legacy of John R. Oughton and the Keeley Institute.

A brief summary to Oughton Estate Windmill

  • 101 W South St, Dwight, Illinois, 60420, US

Local tips

  • Take a stroll around the grounds to appreciate the windmill from different angles and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
  • Visit the nearby Prairie Creek District Library, which was once the Oughton Estate's carriage house.
  • Check out other historical markers and attractions in Dwight, including the Ambler-Becker Texaco Station and the First National Bank of Dwight.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Oughton Estate Windmill is located at 101 W South St in Dwight, easily accessible from the downtown area. From the Amtrak station on W Washington Street, head south on S Prairie Ave, then turn left onto E South St. The windmill will be on your left, behind the Prairie Creek District Library. The walk is approximately 0.3 miles and should take less than 10 minutes. There are no costs associated with walking to the windmill.

  • Public Transport

    Dwight is served by Amtrak. From the Amtrak station, the Oughton Estate Windmill is a short walk. Alternatively, Dwight Cab Svc offers local taxi services. A short taxi ride from the station to the windmill would likely cost around $7-$10.

  • Driving

    From I-55, take either exit 220 or 227 into Dwight. Follow the signs to the downtown area. The windmill is located on W South St, behind the Prairie Creek District Library. Limited street parking is available. Parking is free. Note that during library events, parking may be more difficult to find.

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Discover more about Oughton Estate Windmill

The Oughton Estate Windmill, located at 101 W South St, Dwight, IL, is a prominent reminder of the town's past. Built in 1896 for John R. Oughton, it originally served as a pumping tower for the Oughton Estate, which later became the site of the Keeley Institute, an alcohol rehabilitation center. The windmill, constructed by the U.S. Wind, Engine and Pump Company of Batavia, Illinois, features a five-story, eight-sided, steel-framed structure. It drew water from an 840-foot deep well, storing it in an 88-barrel cypress tank at the top. The windmill's head, measuring 16 feet across, was one of the largest in the United States at the time. In 1977, the Ohlendorf family replaced the head with a new one shipped from South America, and further repairs and restorations were carried out in 2003. That same year, the Mike Hogan Family donated the landmark to the Village of Dwight. The Oughton Estate, including the windmill, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today, visitors can admire the restored windmill and stroll the surrounding grounds, which include a pond and the Prairie Creek District Library, once the Oughton carriage house. While tours inside the structure are not currently available, the windmill remains a popular spot for photographs and a symbol of Dwight's rich history.

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