windmill state recreation area

At 167 acres, Windmill State Recreation Area is one of two highly developed areas operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in the state’s unique “chain of lakes” along Interstate 80. Situated at the Gibbon Interchange, between Kearney and Grand Island, it was once a stopping spot for early day travelers. It still serves travelers today with modern camping facilities, a 14-acre manmade lake and a fascinating assortment of antique windmills. It draws its name from the locale, Windmill Crossing, where the Pawnee Indians forded the Platte River during their annual buffalo hunts. The old-time windmills that add so much to the character of the area were acquired in the early 1970s. They have all been restored to working order. ABOUT THE WINDMILLS The largest is a railroad windmill that stands over 60 feet tall. The wheel is 20 feet in diameter, with 200 blades in 2 rows of 8 sections each. The vane or small fan section that extends beyond the edge of the wheel is actually a type of governor. When the wind is too strong, it turns the head out of the wind and shuts it down so it won’t spin at excessive speeds that can damage the mechanism. The main tower exceeds 40 feet to the platform, while the “stub” tower rises another 11 feet. Also the oldest windmill at the park, it was first erected in a small town in northeastern Colorado, probably Fleming, about 1880. It was taken down in 1955 and moved to Kansas. It was found at “Sodtown,” just east of Colby, and moved to Garden City. It was acquired in August 1972 from Homer Sargent of York, NE, and moved to Windmill SRA. After being rebuilt, it was erected here on November 1, 1973. The smaller Waupans windmill was first erected in 1902. It came from Louis Drake of Arcadia, NE, and was reassembled here in the fall of 1972 after being restored. The 10-foot, folding wheel always faces downwind, while the weighted tail points into the wind. Built about 1910, the Dempster Model 9 wi ndmill came from a farm east of Wilsonville in southwest Nebraska. Its 10-foot, flat wheel faces into the wind. Donated by Paul and Carl ten Bensel of Wilsonville, it was rebuilt before being erected here in July 1973 . CAMPING Windmill SRA offers modern camping facilities, restrooms, showers, and a Laundromat. The paved camping pads have electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire grates. There is a trailer dump station on the area. Half of the modern campsites at Windmill State Recreation Area can be reserved prior to arrival; the remainder are available on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations may be made up to a year in advance of arrival date, and can be made on-line, by phone or in person. To make reservations online, go to www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Phone reservations can be made through the Nebraska Game and Parks call center at (402) 471-1414. The center is open from 9 am to 6 pm CT, Monday-Friday . There is a nonrefundab le reservation fee f or each site or unit reserved. The reservation fee applies to each site or unit reserved, regardless of the length of time of the reservation. FISHING Windmill SRA is a popular fishing and camping area in south-central Nebraska. Six lakes offer good fishing opportunities for a variety of species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, and rainbow trout. Fishing for trout is good from October through April. Fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie can be good year-round, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Under federal and/or state law, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, national origin, disabil- ity or political affiliation. If you think you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility or want more information, contact the Affirmative Action Officer, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE, 402-471-0641; the Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE, 402-471-2024, TTY / TDD 402-471-4693. USFWS, Division of Bird Habitat and Conservation, Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, MBSP 4020, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Windmill State Recreation Area P.O.Box 427 Gibbon, NE 68840-0427 Phone: 308-468-5700 [email protected] C CH HE EC CK K T TH HE E W WE EB B! ! Visit the Game and Parks Commissio n home page to discover Nebraska’s other great state park lands, make your camping or cabin reservations,acquire your park entry permits and fishing & hunting licenses. Plan your getaway today at w ww ww w. .O Ou u t td d o o o o r r N Ne e b b r r a as s k k a a . .o or r g g. Web reservations available 24/7 or call 402-471-1414. Windmill State Recreation Area

windmill state recreation area

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