Westerpark in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Zaagmolens
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Sawmills
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 2022
1. Zaagmolens / Sawmills Marker
Vóór 1627 werd er in Amsterdam vrijwel alleen met handkracht hout gezaagd. In 1630 werd een compagnie gesticht voor het oprichten van houtzaagmolens. Tussen de Haarlemmerpoort en Raampoort verrezen 12 zogenaamde paltrokken: De Otter, De Eenhoorn, De Wezel, Het Schaap, 't Luipaard, De Bijl, De Oranjeboom, De Windhond, De Kop, De Jager, De Rookoe en De Dommekracht. Van al deze molens staat alleen De Otter nog overeind.
Before 1627, wood was sawn almost exclusively by hand in Amsterdam. In 1630 a company was founded for the erection of sawmills. Between the Haarlemmerpoort and Raampoort, 12 so-called paltrok-type windmills for lumber-sawing arose: De Otter (“the Otter”), De Eenhoorn (“the Unicorn”), De Wezel (“the Weasel”), Het Schaap (“the Sheep”), 't Leopard (“the Leopard”), De Bijl (“the Axe”), De Oranjeboom (“the Orangetree”) De Greyhound (“the Greyhound”), De Kop (“the Cup”), De Jager (“the Hunter”), De Rookoe (“the Red Cow”) and De Dommekracht (“the Silent Power”). Of
this page online
Erected by Geef Straten Een Gezicht.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht, and the Windmills series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1630.
Location. 52° 22.674′ N, 4° 52.439′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Westerpark. It is at the intersection of Zaagmolenstraat and Rombout Hogerbeetsstraat, on the left when traveling west on Zaagmolenstraat. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Zaagmolenstraat 5II, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1052 HA, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rombout Hogerbeets (a few steps from this marker); De Kostverlorenvaart (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Johan van Oldenbarneveldt (about 120 meters away); Amalia van Solms (about 150 meters away); Hugo de Groot (about 180 meters away); Gillis van Ledenberch (about 210 meters away); Gerard Schaep (about 210 meters away); Molen De Otter (The Otter Windmill) (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.
Also see . . .
1. Post Mill - Paltrok Mill. Wikipedia entry:
On the Paltrok mill: In the Netherlands and Germany,(Submitted on February 13, 2023.)a variety of mill called the paltrok (Low German spelling Paltrock from High German Pfalzrock (palisade skirt); the shape of the millhouse resembles that kind of garment) was built. Though similar in name and appearance, Dutch and German paltrok mills differ in historical and technical regard…The Dutch paltrok mill was invented around 1600 and specifically designed for sawing wood… Dutch paltrok mills are, like post windmills, supported on a central wooden post around which the entire millhouse rotates. The central post, however, is short and, to provide stability, a rim bearing is added on a brick base, on which the millhouse rotates with numerous rollers. Side extensions protect the sawing floor and workmen from the weather.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 20222. Zaagmolens / Sawmills Marker - wide view
2. De Otter, Amsterdam (Wikipedia). Wikipedia entry:
Overview: De Otter… is a paltrok mill in Amsterdam, Netherlands which has been restored to working order. As all Dutch paltrok mills it is a windpowered sawmill. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 1198.(Submitted on February 13, 2023.)
3. …The Wind-Powered Sawmill That Changed Dutch History. Core 77 website entry:
Article noting that Dutch invention in wood-working technology led to increases in efficiency that played a huge role in Dutch shipbuilding, thus helping to make the Netherlands a world power in the 1600s.
Excerpt: In 1594, an ingenious Dutchman invented(Submitted on February 13, 2023.)something amazing: A wind-powered sawmill. Cornelis Corneliszoon, who described himself as "a poor farmer with wife and children" figured out that he could harness the power of the wind and attach it to a whipsaw to make it go up and down. He then added another gear to the crankshaft that would advance the material by means of what looks to be a rack and pinion... The result of Corneliszoon's invention was much faster sawing, without the calorie-burning. Men were still needed to maintain the machine's operation, of course, but the merits of the design were so obvious that others immediately began copying it…Photographed by A.T. Rooswinkel (courtesy of Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed under CC 4.0 license)3. “De Otter” Windmill (postcard view, slightly cropped and contrast adjusted)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
