BP windmill, alternative energy with a history.

What was it for, who built it and when?

We asked these question as we considered the BP windmill for the first time. During an informal tour of some historic projects here on South Whidbey, Travis, Harrison and Brad looked at an old barn, a fishing shack, some amazing barns and chicken coups, an old block building named after a man beheaded in the 1800's, a winery, and the BP windmill.

Brad assessing the condition of the BP Windmill (Bush Point, WA)

Sitting in the trees, near the top of a knoll on a hillside that seeps water all summer long, is a Windmill. It's in a curious location, halfway up the incline between the point and the crest up by Smuggler's Cove Road. It's just south of the South Whidbey State Park where there's mostly forest, or now unforest, where suburbia and the country bump together. But what was if for?

 BP Windmill. Did it pump water or generate electricity? And why, or for who?

The BP (Bush Point) windmill has a simple, lightweight steel frame made mostly of galvanized angle iron tower that supports a well designed, simple and attractive windmill mechanism which likely came as parts in a small crate and was assembled on site. But why? How long has it been there? What was it for? There are no farms or ranches up nearby. And was it built in the trees, or has it been sitting there so long the trees have grown up around it?

BP windmill close up showing simple, utilitarian, and elegant design.

If anyone has information on the BP windmill like when it was built, the history of settlement at Bush Point, or information just about the windmill manufacture or information useful in determining if it's a restoration candidate, please contact brad@dbBrad, subject Windmill.

Windmill and Concrete Cistern above Bush Point

In the foreground is a board formed concrete water tank, about 6' deep with a baffle down the middle, but curiously not the center. Harrison got me thinking today on re-purposing historic buildings, and though they don't always seem to mesh together, are important for each other.

Brad Hankins and the BP Windmill

My future use fantasy for the BP windmill and cistern is to insulate the exterior, rebuild the roof but about 4' higher, and turn it into a two stage, wind powered hot tub/water catchment system. We'll see what happens, but if you know about the windmill, please contact me.