Overview
Ter Haar Mill was an octagonal wooden smock mill on an earthen mound on Koningsweg in Aalten. It was built in 1849 to replace an older post mill. After fire, rebuilding and storm damage, the mill fell out of use. The last remains were demolished in 1967.
The mill took its name from the brothers G.H. and H. ter Haar and stood on Koningsweg in Aalten. It was also known locally as ‘de Oude Molen’ — the Old Mill.
A mill already stood on this site in 1402, although it disappeared at some point. In 1849, the post mill on the site was replaced by an octagonal wooden smock mill. It was built by E. Roerdink, F.H. Lindehovius and J.W. Velthuis. Above the entrance, the words “Op hoop van zegen” — “In hope of blessing” — were carved into a stone.
In 1919, the mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1921 using an octagonal upper structure brought from Dedemsvaart. The windshaft came from a mill in Vierakker that had likewise been damaged by fire.
During a severe storm in 1929, the mill was badly damaged. Its sails were lost and it was no longer used afterwards. In a 1930 newspaper article, Mr Van Eerden argued for its restoration, describing it as Aalten’s only remaining windmill capable of operating. At the time, the owner was B. Klein Lebbink of Almen.
The Ter Haar brothers continued to live near the mill until February 1966. The badly decayed wooden octagonal structure was finally pulled down in June 1967 and the remains were burned.
An address directory from 1961 still listed a mill on Koningsweg; the 1967 edition, however, described it as a ‘mill ruin’.
Address history
Population register 1910–1920
Dale 134 > 145
1934 address directory
Dale 145 > Koningsweg 6
Mill
1967 address directory
Koningsweg 6
Mill ruin
Owners
This overview is not complete.
| Year | Plot | Owner | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1832 | I-57 | Engelbert Roerdink et al., farmer in Winterswijk | 2,330 m² mill & yard |
Newspaper reports
