The Puttenberg Mill: sulphur blocks and Father Damien

There was probably a wooden windmill here as early as the 17th century. The mill was built on an artificial elevation: the so-called belt or mountain. In 1854 the mill was replaced by a stone one. The miller's wife was Constantia De Veuster, Father Damien's sister. The story goes that Damien would have spent the night in the mill a few days before his departure to Hawaii. It is no coincidence that this street is called the Pater Damiaanstraat.
On top of the mill hull, there used to be the mill cap in which there was a wheel that allowed the hood and the sails to turn to the wind via a chain mechanism. We speak of a 'chain porter'.
But the miller was certainly up to date with the times, because in order not to be dependent on wind power, he installed a steam engine as early as 1873. Until WWI, grain was ground and a little electricity was made. The mill was destroyed during the war but later repaired and expanded with a Gazpower installation. Hence the square fireplace in the outbuilding. Not only grain was ground, but also 'sulphur blocks' and 'silice' (stone).
Since 2000, the mill – which was also protected in that year – has been in the hands of the construction company Vlabo-invest n.v. and Vlaanderen Bouwen v.z.w.
Inside, a lot of the original electromechanical machinery remains.

Jan Rymenams