The windmill on the farm serves a vital function as a pump to move water from the cistern to areas where it is needed. Some farms have a large cistern built above ground, but Red Barn Farm's cistern is underground. Where do you suppose the cistern might be?
A cistern is a large tank used for holding water, specifically rainwater.
Similar to a well, the cistern ensures the water is not contaminated and does not evaporate. Typically, a cistern is round or rectangular and has a cover to keep insects, plants or animals away from the water.
Cisterns come in various shapes and sizes. Anything that stores water for later use can be called a cistern, even a large jar or, believe it or not, the tank on the back of your toilet!
The windmill harnesses the power of the wind to bring the water up from the cistern to pipes that are above ground.
The farmer would then attach more pipes and hoses to allow the water to travel out to the fields and to the corrals for the animals. The pipes might even end up in the farmhouse kitchen. Perhaps you have seen a sink that uses a hand pump rather than a faucet. It only takes a few minutes of hand pumping to get good water pressure.
The farm wind pump was invented in 1854 by Daniel Halliday. Eventually, the wood tower and blades were upgraded to steel and by 1930, there were over 600,000 windmills in use in the Midwest. There aren’t as many today as they have been replaced by electric pumps.
Windmills still have value in areas where electricity is not available. Plus, many people who want to help the environment and “go green” are returning to windmills as an alternative energy source.
Windmills, in addition to pumping water for crops and livestock, are used to keep ponds healthy and mosquito free. The moving water reduces bacteria build-up and replenishes oxygen levels. A healthy lake or pond is an excellent environment for fish. Windmills can be found working at fish hatcheries.
If you said the cistern is directly under the windmill, you are correct! The concrete provides a base for the windmill and a cover for the cistern.
