Our Murphy Creek Windmill – An Old West Icon

As settlers moved west in the late 1800s to claim land for farming and to raise cattle in areas where water was in short supply, the Windmill became essential for survival of all.  The blades atop a tall tower would spin and rotate in the wind, moving a sucker rod in an up and down motion inside a cylinder below water level.  This up and down motion with the help of check valves, pushed water up the pipe to the surface for storage in a holding tank.  The Windmill and its water made it possible for the Old West to be settled!

Our Murphy Creek Windmill, which originally stood tall on an Oklahoma farm, is an authentic Old West windmill.  It was bought by our Developer (Rod  Alpert) through an antique dealer and was a fully functional windmill when it was lifted in to place by a crane during the early days of developing Murphy Creek and the golf course. 

It needed maintenance, painting and to be filled with oil periodically to keep the blades spinning and the mechanisms working.  There was a lack of clarity as to where that responsibility rested,  so our Windmill fell into disrepair.  To restore it, our developer had a framer from his crew  assemble and replace the rotted lumber.  A bucket lift was rented and Rod personally primed and painted the timbers.  Thank you, Rod!  At that time  it was necessary to alter the spinning of the blades.  They now simply rotate in the wind.

This summer our Windmill will again receive some careful cleaning with a wire brush or power washer to be sure the look of the rough sawn timbers is maintained. And with a coat of paint, it will again be that Old West Icon welcoming all of us home each day.

NOTE:  Since this article has historic significance for our community, it has been added to the Archives page of our website.