Nebraska City in Otoe County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
This ELI Windmill
This "ELI" Windmill was the brand name of windmills produced by the Kregel Windmill Factory of Nebraska City. Established in 1879, by George F. Kregel, the factory produced windmills up until World War II. Due to materials rationing for the war the factory discontinued production. After the war, George's son, Arthur, took over the business and focused on water well and pump services. In addition to windmills, the factory also produced bee hives. The company operated until Arthur's death in 1991.
In the early 1990's, the factory was identified as the last historically intact windmill factory in the United States. It was preserved by concerned community members and is currently being restored to become a museum.
This windmill was donated by the P. Edw. Peterson family from their farm north of Nebraska City.
Windmills have been used for irrigation pumping and for milling since the 7th Century. In the early days of the United States, the development of the "water-pumping windmill" was the major factor that allowed farming and ranching in vast areas that were otherwise devoid of readily accessible water. The multi-bladed wind turbine atop a lattice tower made of wood or steel was, for many years, a fixture of the landscape of rural America.
This part of Nebraska City's heritage was made possible by the City of Nebraska City, the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum, the Campbell Kropp Foundation, the Nebraska City Utilities Company, and Loren Lockman of Double L Windmills.
Erected 2013 by Kregel Windmill Factory Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 40° 40.598′ N, 95° 51.825′ W. Marker is in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in Otoe County. Marker is on Central Avenue east of 15th Street, on the left when traveling west. Windmill is south across Central Avenue from the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1416 Central Avenue, Nebraska City NE 68410, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nebraska City Volunteer Fire Dept. (about 400 feet away); Pioneer Masons of Nebraska Territory (approx. ¼ mile away); Mother Church of Methodism in Nebraska (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church Original 1855 Wall (approx. ¼ mile away); Mother Church of Nebraska Methodism (approx. ¼ mile away); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Mary's (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nebraska City.
Also see . . .
1. Kregel Windmill Company Factory National Register Nomination. (Submitted on June 23, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Water Pumping Windmill History in America. (Submitted on June 23, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Windmills. (Submitted on June 23, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 23, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.