The Elgin Windmill

The Elgin Windmill. . Where Was the Windmill Originally Located? , The 1921 "Giant Suburban" windmill pumped well water for a house on Elgin's west side, at the corner of Larkin and McLean. George Peck owned the windmill company and constructed the windmill for his son, Richard Peck, a well-known aviator, who built the house in 1922. Tragically, Peck's wife and child died in childbirth that year and he never lived in the home. Richard Peck died in 1931 while testing experimental aircraft. , , Preserving the Windmill , In 2004, Elgin Area Historical Society accepted the donation of this Elgin Giant Suburban windmill, and spent the next nine years refurbishing and selecting a site for public display. The windmill was taken down in pieces, stored then refurbished under the guidance of Frank Engel. By partnering with the City of Elgin, the windmill was installed on September 7, 2013 in Foundry Park. , , For more information on Elgin's history, please visit the Museum at 360 Park Street, in historic Old Main, on the campus of the Elgin Academy. www.elginhistory.org , , This Elgin windmill is dedicated to the memory of George A. Carlson , "Never stop learning, Enjoy what you do, Be pleasant and cheerful, Always do your best." ~ George A. Carlson, 1917-2005