The Black Rider

The Kleine Noordpolder or Schinkelpolder was established in 1631 and was long a typical grazing polder. The polder was initially drained by a black tarred wip mill, hence also called Zwarte­polder. The original "Zwarte Molen" of the Schinkelpolder stood near the shore of the Haarlemmermeer. When the mill was due for replacement in 1777, the States were asked for permission to build the new mill in a different location. By patent of May 13, 1777, the States granted the administration of the Kleine Noord- or Schinkelpolder permission to build an octagonal water mill with a 72-foot span on a stone foundation, thatched with reeds at Plompkade. This is the current mill De Zwarte Ruiter. According to the topographic map of 1850 (see fig. 2), the name "Zwarte Molen" was transferred to the new mill. The "ruiter" of Zwarte Ruiter only came into play when the mill was converted into a corn mill in 1866 with parts from the corn mill De Ruyter from Zaandam.

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