North Dutch Windmill, Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Marker Inscription
Golden Gate Park North Dutch Windmill Originally constructed 1902 Restoration completed 1981 The restoration of this historical landmark was made possible by Mrs. Eleanor Rossi Crabtree through her personal fund raising efforts, the many contributers, and the labor donated by Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Two "Her dream has become a reality" The citizens of San Francisco are grateful for the efforts of Mrs. Eleanor Rossi Crabtree and to all those who contributed A Recreation and Park Commission project Dianne Feinstein, Mayor City and County of San Francisco Thomas Malloy, General Manager Recreation and Park Department Restoration under the direction of the Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Two Treasure Island Commanding officers Capt. J.R. Collins CEC, USNR-R Capt. D.J. Sifferman CEC, USNR-R Cdr. R.J. Walter CEC, USNR-R
The Story
The North Dutch Windmill was built in 1902 at the western edge of Golden Gate Park, where it once pumped groundwater to irrigate the sprawling greenery reclaimed from sand dunes. By the late 20th century it had fallen into disrepair, and a 1981 restoration — driven by Eleanor Rossi Crabtree's fundraising and volunteer labor from a Naval Reserve construction battalion — brought it back to life. It remains a beloved San Francisco landmark.
Why it matters
The windmill tells the story of how engineering turned barren dunes into one of America's great urban parks, and how citizen effort later saved a piece of that history.
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Related people
- · Eleanor Rossi Crabtree
Themes & tags
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