Bronson Windmill

The Bronson Windmill is an historic windmill at 3015 Bronson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Built in 1893-94, it is the only surviving windmill in the town, ouf a number that once dotted the landscape. It was built for Frederic Bronson, owner of the local estate. The mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1]

Bronson Windmill
Bronson Windmill in 1971
Bronson Windmill is located in Connecticut
Bronson Windmill
Bronson Windmill is located in the United States
Bronson Windmill
Location3015 Bronson Road, Fairfield, Connecticut
Coordinates41°10′21″N 73°17′32″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1893 (1893)
ArchitectCorcoran Storm-Defying Windmills
Part ofGreenfield Hill Historic District (ID71000899)
NRHP reference No.71000896[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 29, 1971
Designated CPMarch 11, 1971

Description and history

The Bronson Windmill stands on the west side of Bronson Road, opposite the Fairfield Country Day School. It is an octagonal structure about 80 feet (24 m) in height, with a base about 17.5 feet (5.3 m) in diameter. Its framing is Georgia pine, and it is anchored to the ground by locust beams set 6 feet (1.8 m) into the ground, which are fastened to the frame by iron rods. The sides, which telescope inward as the structure rises, are dotted with rectangular window openings. The sides are covered in wooden shingles, and rise to a cornice and domed roof, which is surmounted by a directional wind vane in the shape of a rooster. The blades of the mill are stored within the building. The mill was used to draw water into a cistern located below ground.[2]

The mill was built in 1893-94 for Frederic Bronson to provide water for use on his large dairy farm, and is the only windmill in Fairfield (out of many that once dotted its landscape). It was built by the Corcoran Storm-Defying Windmills Company of New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey. Bronson's farm was large enough to require more water than rainfall typically supplied. Bronson had also built a large three-story estate house, and the mill was apparently scaled to match its grandeur.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. William B. Ely III (October 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Bronson Windmill". National Park Service. and Accompanying 3 photos
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