I know many of us subscribe to SWANET. Has there been similar work done on
the Central Plains windmills?

John Dendy
________________________________________________

From: Allen Dart <[log in to unmask]>
On Feb. 22, 1999, the late Deborah Dosh shared with the SASIG "Got CALICHE?"
newsletter a wonderful "Windmill Chronology for Arizona Ranches" that dealt
mainly with Aermotor windmills. In Deb's memory Old Pueblo Archaeology
Center would like to share some information gathered during a recently
conducted survey in Cochise County, in which we identified site AZ EE:7:320
(ASM), a historical cattle-watering station that includes a "Dempster"
windmill. Information we obtained on the web indicates that the Dempster
company of Nebraska began selling windmills in 1878. In a May 23, 2003,
phone conversation with Rosemary Heble of Dempster Industries, Beatrice,
Nebraska, Old Pueblo archaeologist Jeffrey T. Jones learned that Dempster
windmills with casting numbers 01 301 or 01 301A were built prior to 1931. A
casting number of 01 301B dates from 1931 to present. Dempster Windmills
from ca. 1980 on have dates stamped on the casting, and Dempster windmills
from ca. 1950 on have dates stenciled on the tail. The AZ EE:7:320 Dempster
windmill has the 01 301 casting number, so dates prior to 1931. Allen Dart,
RPA, Executive Director, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, PO Box 40577, Tucson
AZ  85717-0577 USA; (520) 798-1201 office, (520) 798-1966 fax;
[log in to unmask],www.oldpueblo.org.

[Windmill chronology retrieved from SASIG/SWA web site]
http://www.swanet.org/discussion/99/35.html Message #35 Date: Mon, 22 Feb
1999 18:40:41 Subject: Windmill Chronology for Arizona Ranches [ AzTeC / SWA
SASIG ]: From: Deborah S. Dosh [log in to unmask] We recently completed a
project which recorded several historic windmills. I put together this brief
chronology for windmills and thought it would be appropriate to share on the
SWA web site. Windmill Chronology By Deborah S. Dosh Kinlani Archaeology,
Ltd. P.O. Box 67 Flagstaff, Arizona 86002 (520) 526-9797 February 22, 1999
Dating many historic ranches and ranch-associated sites in Arizona is often
difficult due to the lack of artifacts and the general lack of temporally
diagnostic architecture. On a recent project, archaeologists from Kinlani
Archaeology were faced with a problem of dating a site and its associated
features which the client wanted to tear down. One of the remaining intact
features was a windmill and its associated water tank. It appeared to be
around 50 years old, but the exact date was uncertain. In an effort to
preserve the site and the remaining structures, an attempt was made to date
the windmill. The following information was gathered during the research
process and we think that this data could prove useful to other
archaeologists who wish to verify dating of historic sites in the Southwest.
This information is for Aermotor Windmills. This brand name is the most
commonly found windmill in northern Arizona. The company has been producing
windmills since 1888 and was the top producer of windmills in the United
States for most of the late 1800s and early 1900s. To date a windmill three
factors should be taken into consideration: 1. Gear box numbers 2. Date
stamp inside the motor 3. Type of tower. Gear Box Numbers: This is probably
the easiest information to discover while in the field, and without removing
the motor helmet to view the inside of the motor. The gear box is behind the
windmill blade on the outside of the motor. It has a letter and number
combination on it. It can sometimes be seen with a pair of binoculars or the
naked eye depending upon the height of the tower. Letters indicate the size
of the blade assembly: X = 6 ft, A = 8 ft, B = 10 ft, C = 12 ft, E = 14 ft,
F = 16 ft. The three digit number following the letter indicates the periods
of manufacture of the windmill and presumably a rough estimate of age: 402 =
1888 - 1904; 502 = 1904 - 1915; 602 = 1916 - 1933; 702 = 1933 - 1986; 802 =
post 1986. Date Stamps: To locate the date stamp, remove the helmet from the
motor. Inside there will be a loop of steel that holds a guide wheel. Above
this is a small flat spot. The flat area has the date of manufacture stamped
on it. Granted, this method is difficult without the proper tools and could
be dangerous depending on the condition of the tower. Tower Construction:
Prior to 1926, all windmills were placed on wooden towers, which were built
by the company which sold and installed the windmill. Depending on this
company and the remoteness of the site location, wooden towers were still
used until the late 1940s. Aermotor began production and distribution of
steel towers in 1926, although it took many people several years to switch
to the steel towers. Some steel towers were also manufactured by the
companies performing the installation of the windmill. Aermotor stamps are
placed on steel towers constructed by them. For additional information about
Aermotor windmills: Aermotor web site: http://www.aermotorwindmill.com Mr.
Max Nelson - Aermotor representative - 1-800-854-1656; Additional Reading: A
Field Guide to American Windmills. T. Lindsey Baker. University of Oklahoma
Press. 1985; Windmills and Pumps of the Southwest. Dick Hays. Eakin Press,
Austin, Texas. 1983.