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Project
Overview | Facts at a Glance
| Restoration Team
Wind Engine
Overview | FAQ
 Why is the Harden Foundation restoring a
114-year-old windmill?
The wind engine is a masterpiece of
Victorian engineering. Our goal is to restore the wind
engine, the mill, machinery, and associated buildings to
a condition that represents how the mill operated in the
late 1890s. We believe the fully restored mill will
significantly contribute to educating visitors about the
agricultural history of Harden Ranch and the Salinas
Valley. Ultimately school and community groups will be
able to witness first-hand the workings of a
turn-of-the-century mill.
What is the difference between a windmill and a wind
engine?
The history of milling goes back
thousands of years. The term windmill relates to earlier
structures while the term wind engine is commonly used
for more modern, American-invented structures.
Why is the Challenge Double Header Wind Engine
unique?
The Challenge Double Header Wind Engine
is the last surviving wind engine of its kind that we
know of. Its unusual "double header" design means that
it has two 30-foot wind wheels which rotate in opposite
directions. In addition, two smaller side wheels rotate
and cause the wind engine to face the direction of the
wind.
What was the wind engine originally used for?
The original owner of the mill, Duncan
McKinnon, used the power produced by the wind engine to
drive several items including millstones, roll stand,
grain elevator, water pump, and a woodworking shop.
Will the restored wind engine be used to supply
power to the surrounding neighborhood?
No. The wind engine will be used only to
demonstrate how Duncan McKinnon's turn-of-the-century
mill worked. We look forward to sharing this special
part of Salinas history with school groups and the
community-at-large.
Will neighbors be able to see the windmill?
Neighbors that can already see the top
of the mill building on the Harden Estate should be able
to see the windmill after it is installed. The Challenge
Double Header Wind Engine, with its 30-foot blades
painted white and red, will most likely be the most
impressive windmill people have ever seen.
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