17” mini Windmill – ELI just out

The second new mini windmill is a model of the ELI from Kregel Windmill Company – Nebraska City, Nebraska.  "Stop working for the oil kings!"  Use the wind to pump water and save time and money." from a 1922 ad for the Eli Windmill Company. (make one wonder if we had paid attention to this message by the Kregel Company then where we would be today)  The Eli windmills were made by George Kregel beginning in 1891.  The Kregel Windmill company building still exists in Nebraska City although they have not made windmills for the past 40 years.  The tools and equipment are still there and an effort is being made to preserve the building and equipment as a museum.  The Eli windmills were locally sold and so were rarely seen further than 60 miles from Nebraska City. 

Tags: Eli Windmill, George Kregel, Kregel Windmill company, Kregel Windmill museum, Nebraska City Nebraska