The Portland Windmills are two disused stone towers which were used as

windmills A windmill is a structure that converts wind power into rotational energy using vanes called sails or blades, specifically to mill grain (gristmills), but the term is also extended to windpumps, wind turbines, and other applications, in some par ...

from at least the early 17th century. They are located south of Easton village and the east of

Weston Weston may refer to: Places Australia * Weston, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra * Weston, New South Wales * Weston Creek, a residential district of Canberra * Weston Park, Canberra, a park Canada * Weston, Nova Scotia * ...

village. The towers, which are relatively short mills with conical caps, stand approximately 135 metres apart. They have been separate Grade II Listed monuments since September 1978, and are the only historic windmill remains to survive in

Dorset Dorset ( ; archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset. Covering an area of , ...

History

Although their origin is unknown, Portland's windmills were first recorded in the Land Revenue Accounts of 1608. They were also featured on a 1626 map by William Simplon and the Hutchins map of 1710, where they were depicted as prominent landmarks. It is believed that the two windmills are two of the earliest of their type in the United Kingdom and were probably built by local craftsmen. The mills, which were traditionally operated by the Pearce family, ceased use in the 1890s as mass-produced flour and bread became available through Portland's modern rail and road links. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, the south tower was used as a look-out post. The same tower was renovated by ARC Ltd in 1991. In 2000, some care was given to the windmills in attempt to preserve them, while in recent years, attempts have been made to form a trust to preserve both windmills.

References

{{Isle of Portland Isle of Portland Grade II listed buildings in Dorset Grade II listed windmills Tower mills in the United Kingdom Windmills in Dorset