About Ornamental Windmills

History

• The Great Plains and prairies of the United States would have had a hard time being been developed if it weren't for windmills. They served vital functions that made that land livable. Windmills were scattered across the Midwest and other parts of America in the 1800s, and many remnants of such can still be seen today. Because of their charm, windmills are still found all over today---even in places where folks least expect them---as yard and garden décor.

Function

• Windmills used to be, and sometimes still are, used for many important tasks. Large, looming windmills, known as turbines, are used across the Southwest for generating electricity. Others have been used to pump water out of wells for drinking or irrigation, to pump water to tenement rooftops, in ship boilers for cooling and in removing debris from mine shafts. The main function of an ornamental windmill, however, is to add a dash of charm to the yard or area in which it stands. The best ones will also turn, but usually only for show.

Types

• Wooden windmills used to be the only type, and many are still made of that material. Ornamental windmills are also commonly made of metal, plastic or a combination of materials. The short, squatty windmill with a cone-shaped base is a popular style, as is the tall, stork-legged windmill topped with a large, prominent wheel.

Features

• The most obvious feature of any windmill is its wheel. Some, like the cone-based wooden windmills, have a wheel that is attached in front of its base, getting wind power from the side. Others, like the tall, stork-legged windmills, have an open back and a tail so the wheel can move in the best direction to catch the wind. The wheel's slats will always be angled and come in different numbers, with as few as four slats or more than a dozen on any particular windmill. Some ornamental windmills may not have wheels that turn at all, as it's all about looks and not function.

Geography

• Ornamental windmills can be found in many yards, gardens, rooftops and terraces throughout the United States and beyond. Hand-held mini-windmills are popular at kids' parties. Some front yards feature little smiley face windmills, flower windmills and other highly decorative and colorful shapes and styles. Anyone who has been to a miniature golf course knows a windmill is also a staple near one of the holes.