By Karen Haave
A painting of Peotone’s iconic windmill has been added to the village historical society’s collection of priceless artifacts from the past.
The Peotone Windmill, recognized as the village logo, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built 151 years ago as a full-sized, five-story German style windmill, run by wind.
PHS Membership Chairman Edward Nelson unveiled the painting and offered some background in a festive Reveal Party to open the summer season of the mill.
“Thank you for being here,” he said.
“We’re going to be open every Sunday from now until at least the end of October, from 1 to 3 p.m. We are all volunteers at the historical society, and your donations are greatly appreciated so that we can work on keeping Peotone’s history alive.
“I’d also like to say thank you to our special guests today, Janice Wilke and Sandy and Dave Dzurny, the reason we’re here today.
“I became a member of the historical society last July. Since then, pretty much all of my friends and neighbors know I’m looking for any historic items pertaining to Peotone to help grow the society and even perennial plants to help in improving our garden area out front.
“Sandy was my wife’s, Tracy, typing teacher at Rich East High School back in the late ’70s. At one of the Peotone garage sales a few years back Sandy and Dave happened to come to our sale and, after talking a little bit with each other, they realized who each other were and seeing that we all live in Peotone now, they’ve stayed connected ever since.
“This past January, I got a call from Sandy. She said she had acquired a painting of the Peotone Windmill and wondered if the Historical Society might be interested in it as a donation. I said I’m sure they would, and I’d love to see it. If I remember correctly, we arranged a time shortly after that, and I went right over. I wanted to see what Sandy had, and I didn’t want her to change her mind.
When I got to the house, Dave and Sandy proceeded to show me this painting.
“It was bigger than I thought it would be, and it looks pretty awesome. Sandy told me it was given to her by her sister, Janice Wilke, who is here with us today. She also told me Janice inherited the painting from her husband’s aunt. I was very enthusiastic about accepting the painting and loaded it up.
“I also told Dave and Sandy I’d love to have a Reveal Party for it at the mill, since it’s not very often we get such a wonderful gift, which brings us here today.
“The Peotone Mill was erected in 1872; we just celebrated its 150th anniversary last summer. It started operations in 1872 and a discovered copy of an actual mill invoice shows it was in operation for approximately 12 years.
“The mill provided a variety of grain products, such as fine wheat flour, rye flour, buckwheat flour, and cornmeal. The mill was also a primary source of feed for the local livestock industry.
“From an account in the Peotone Eagle newspaper, in 1885 the mill was changed from wind power to steam power. Rathje history speaks about the great sails becoming rotten as the reason for the change to steam.
“The actual year the mill closed its doors for business is something we don’t know precisely at this time, but we suspect the mill ceased operations in the late 1880s, somewhere around 1889.
“Which brings us back to the painting. It was commissioned by Janice’s husband’s aunt, Dorothy Wilke Schmidt and Dorothy’s husband, Reuben Schmidt, back in 1970. Reuben and Dorothy were residents of Peotone.
“Reuben was an owner of the Schmidt Behrens Ford dealership. Both Reuben and Dorothy were members of St John’s United Church of Christ in North Peotone. Dorothy was a founding member of her Pinochle Club, a member of the St. John’s Church Women’s Guild, a homemaker, and bus driver for 10 years with Christensen Bus Service. So, without further ado, I present to you the Peotone Mill,” he said, uncovering the painting.
“Unfortunately, we don’t know anything about the painter, Will Harder. Nothing could be found about him, but I think you’ll agree, he did an excellent job of representing what the Peotone Mill would have looked like back in the 1880s.”
In her remarks, Janice Wilke said, “I’d like to thank the Peotone Historical Society for inviting me here today to the dedication ceremony. I certainly didn’t expect to be standing here today. This is so awesome.
“Since I recently moved and downsized, I wanted this picture to become a part of this community. I thought of my husband’s aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Reuben Schmidt. (They were) longtime residents of Peotone and owners of the Schmidt Behrens Ford dealership for many years. That picture of ‘The Old Mill’ hung in their den for many years.”
She said the family did not know much about the artist, but “he captured the splendor and beauty of ‘The Old Mill’.”
As someone “born and raised in Peotone 83 years ago,” she suggested residents “think about how many times you have driven, biked, or walked past ‘The Old Mill’.
“Even as children, and now as adults, we all stand here and look up in awe and wonder at this beautiful structure that will grace this community for many years to come. God bless, and thank you all so much!”
Karen Ward, PHS President, said the group is thrilled to have the painting.
“I am very happy about the donation of the oil painting of the Mill,” she said. “I really enjoyed hearing the story behind it and why it was given to the Peotone Historical Society. We have been gifted with many historical artifacts the past couple of years, and the oil painting is a wonderful addition.”
Nelson said the painting will hang in the mill until cold weather, when it will be moved to another location with better climate control ability. He said he is hoping the Peotone Library will house it during the cold weather months.
Very cool !Good people helping to keep the windmill and its history alive !
Everyone loves that old windmill !….
I just wish the sails were back on and working .
Is the steam engine still around ?