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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