Stone Mill

Stone Mill

Since the French were here in 1794 to promote their principles of ‘liberté, égalité et fraternité’, the Ancien Régime with its customs inherited from the Middle Ages also fell away. Therefore, the obligation for people to have their grain milled at the mill owned by their own Lord (who had all rights over water and wind!) was abolished. In the case of Opdorp, this was the Wooden Mill.

The mill – a ground sailer type – was presumably established in 1807 by Cornelius Van Hooimissen and Barbara Kegels, both from Puurs. Although a steam engine was already installed in the mid-19th century, the following millers were active afterwards: Gustaaf Van Hooimissen, Egidius Meeus, Ludovicus Meeus, P.J. Cruyplant, and Victor Meeus. After suffering damage, it largely disappeared from our landscape, although part of it would still be used as a grinding mill (Mayor Victor Meeus and the De Kinder family). After someone literally got a blow from the mill, Victor Meeus decided to remove the sails.

Currently, the business Veevoeders De Kinder is established there.

Jurgen Vermeulen