Special Feature
Heritage Park ’ s Windmill
By Candace Bowers MVHA Vice President
Windmills and water tanks were once a common sight around Mountain View , even downtown . The windmill would power a pump that drew water from an underground source , and that water would be stored in a tank high above ground , where the force of gravity would then allow it to flow downward to serve as indoor and outdoor plumbing . One such windmill is on display at Heritage Park on Rengstorff Avenue , and it has a special local provenance .
Photo of the Windmill c . 1937
Until recently , the windmill stood on the Gabler property on San Leandro Avenue . In 1930 , Karl and Emilie Gabler bought two adjoining one-acre lots in the “ Terra Bella Acres ” tract . They had emigrated from Germany — Karl in 1928 ( age 18 ) and Emilie in 1929 ( age 21 ). They lived in San Francisco , but would come down on weekends to work on the house . Much of the construction material came from Symon Brothers Wreckers Building Materials in San Francisco . Karl bought the windmill in 1936 from the Geo . W . Sohler & Son Company at 550 California Street . It was made by Flint & Walling Manufacturing Co . in Kendallville , Indiana — the company name is still visible on the vane .
The windmill pumped water to a large storage tank on top of the Gablers ’ house . The tank was the sole source of water for the house , the vegetable garden , the chickens and goats , and an orchard of 62 fruit and nut trees . When the tank overflowed , water could be heard running down the gutters ; Emilie would hurry outside to turn off the windmill .
Photo of the Windmill c . 1980 . The manufacturer ’ s name is visible on the windmill .
The windmill was in operation until 1984 , when the City installed water and sewer service to the property . The Gabler house has remained in the family ; the windmill was given to the City by Carol ( Gabler ) Garliepp , Carl Gabler , and Jon Garliepp , and was relocated to Heritage Park in 2016 .
The windmill today at Heritage Park , with Immigrant House in the foreground .
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