RON HENGGELER |
September 1, 2015
The Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park
This coming Labor Day weekend will be the anniversary of an historic occasion that took place four years ago in San Francisco. On September 9th and 12th in 2011, the cap and sail spars were installed high atop the newly reconstructed tower of the 1905 Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park. Years earlier, I had befriended the foreman and construction crew working on the project. From the beginning to the end of the historic restoration, I shot over 9,000 photos. The images that follow are a select few from the collection that I've chosen to give you an impression of the historic project that saved our beloved windmill on the southwestern end of Golden Gate Park.
The two windmills anchoring the western edge of Golden Gate Park are so majestic and imposing that it is hard to believe that at one time their function outweighed their stately beauty. The Windmills were built in 1902 and 1905. Powered by the winds blowing off the Pacific, these “San Francisco Giants,” as they are known in The Netherlands, pumped as much as 1.5 million gallons of water daily, transforming the western end of Golden Gate Park from sand dunes to a sylvan sanctuary. |
The 1905 Murphy Windmill is the largest windmill of its kind in the world. Along with the adjacent Millwright’s Cottage, the windmill was in dire need of attention by the 1990's.. Its huge 117-foot sails lie rotting on the ground adjacent to the structure. |
The Murphy Windmill was built in 1905 to pump water to Stow Lake. By World War II the windmills were in a state of disrepair, and the metal inside was removed and melted down for the war effort. Decades of neglect left it in a terrible state of rusted metal and rotted wood. A gift to the city from banker Samuel G. Murphy, the now-restored Murphy Windmill was the largest in the world when it was built. Able to pump 40,000 gallons of well water a day for park irrigation, its purpose was to save the city from the exorbitant costs that the private Spring Valley Water Company charged. The Murphy Windmill, sometimes called the South Windmill, had a moment of fame when it appeared in a 1915 Charlie Chaplin movie, The Jitney Elopement. |
In 1994, an architect from Verbij Windmill Construction and Design, a Dutch architectural firm, had been contacted by the Dutch Consulate in San Francisco about doing a study on the prospects of restoring the Murphy Windmill. The architect spent a week at the windmill, which had been taken over by pigeons, taking measurements of the windmill’s dimensions. He reported that refurbishing was feasible, and noted some peculiarities to the Murphy Windmill: Not only did it turn backward from traditional Dutch windmills, but at 117 feet in diameter the windmill’s sails were much larger than Dutch sails, which are typically about 90 feet. |
Restoration work on the Murphy Windmill began in 2002, and the copper cap was sent to the Netherlands for work. The project stalled after a contractor on the project went bankrupt, stranding the cap and windmill sails in the Netherlands with the subcontractor, Verbij Windmill. Progress continued in 2008, and by the autumn of 2011 the 10-ton rotating ring, sails and copper cap had all been fitted back into place. |
I began photographing the restoration project in the early months of 2008. May 22, 2008 |
The entrance into the original 1905 foundation of Murphy's Windmill as it was under restoration in May 22, 2008 |
Inside the empty shell of the original foundation to Murphy's Windmill. May 22, 2008 |
Looking up to the sky from inside the empty shell of the original foundation to Murphy's Windmill. May 22, 2008 |
Inscription above the door of the Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park. May 22, 2008 |
The view while standing on top of the original foundation while the windmill is under restoration. June 2008 |
A temporary shed was built alongside the windmill foundation to protect the windmill's cap while it was being restored and reassembled. December 12, 2008 |
Patrick Huigsloot working on re-assembly of the cap. December 12, 2008 |
December 12, 2008 |
December 12, 2008 |
The view from inside of the windmill's cap. The windmill's machinery was sent to the Netherland's for repair and restoration. This in itself took several years. December 12, 2008 |
Ton Straathof (L), Gerald Kleyn (R), and Patrick Huigsloot (Front) In 2008, the three men came from Holland to San Francisco in order to reassemble the cap of Murphy's Windmill as part of the windmill's restoration. |
A bird's eye view of the top of the windmill's foundation on April 19, 2009. Wooden forms were being created at this time, and later concrete would be poured into the forms. This work would eventually become the balcony surrounding the top of the foundation at the base of the windmill's tower. |
A close-up of the forms being created at the top of the windmill foundation. April 19, 2009 |
A close-up of the forms being created for the future balcony at the top of the windmill's foundation. April 19, 2009 |
A view of the windmill's cap inside the work shed. April 19, 2009 |
A bird's eye view of the top of the windmill's foundation on April 29, 2009. Wooden forms were being created at this time, and later concrete would be poured into the forms. This work would eventually become the balcony surrounding the top of the foundation at the base of the windmill's tower. |
May 11, 2009 The wooden forms are taken away showing the concrete frame that was created to support the balcony. |
June 1, 2009 Wood beams were attached to the new concrete frame at the top of the windmill's original foundation. |
June 1, 2009 Wood beams were attached to the new concrete frame at the top of the windmill's original foundation. |
After the wood beams were attached to the concrete frame, the wood and the concrete were both painted the same color brown. July 5, 2009 |
A bird's eye view of the balcony frame and wood beams being painted brown. July 5, 2009 |
After painting the balcony's frame, the deck flooring was laid down. July 26, 2009 |
A view of the ground floor looking up to the new wood floor above being laid down. July 26, 2009 |
A view of the ground floor looking up to the new wood floor above being laid down. July 26, 2009 |
Temporary scaffolding was put up so the work crew could reinstall the original 1905 enormous wood beams that would soon become the basic frame of the tower once again. June 17, 2011 |
The work crew reinstalling the original 1905 wood beams that would soon become the basic frame of the tower once again. June 17, 2011 |
A close-up of the base of the wood tower beginning to rise from the top of the windmill's original foundation. June 23, 2011 |
At the same time that the windmill's tower was being built, inside the work shed next to the tower, the windmill's cap was being covered in copper sheet tiles. June 23, 2011 |
The restoration project site viewed from Martin Luther King Way in Golden Gate Park. The scaffolding was temporarily removed leaving in view the original 1905 wood beams that make up the basic frame of the windmill's tower. July 7, 2011 |
Workmen inside the tower's frame near the base of the tower. June 24, 2011 |
The restoration project site viewed from Martin Luther King Way in Golden Gate Park. The scaffolding was temporarily removed leaving in view the original 1905 wood beams that make up the basic frame of the windmill's tower. July 24, 2011 |
Workmen connecting the original beams with huge steel brackets. June 24, 2011 |
Scaffolding goes up again, surrounding the frame of the tower. Once the scaffolding was in place, construction of the tower began in ernest. July 7, 2011 |
A close up view at the base of the tower as work begins on laying down the floors, building the stairs, and walls. July 7, 2011 |
Copper paneling the windmill’s cap inside the storage shed. July 7, 2011 |
Putting in the fourth floor beams, as viewed from the third floor. July 7, 2011 |
Progress on the Murphy Windmill as of July 14, 2011. Walls on the tower's frame are beginning to appear, and the different floors inside are being developed and laid down. |
Newly installed crossbeams on the fourth floor of the Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park. July 14, 2011 |
Restoration work on the Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park, as viewed from inside on the third floor. July 14, 2011 |
Looking west inside the Murphy Windmill on the third floor. The third floor had recently been enclosed with recycled wood panels from the old 1905 windmill. |
Viewed from the windmill’s elevated outside balcony; the third floor had recently been enclosed with recycled wood panels from the old 1905 windmill. July 20, 2011 |
Luis R. Santos (L) and Bill Flagg (R) on the third floor of the Murphy Windmill’s tower, viewed looking down from the fourth floor. July 20, 2011 |
Salvador Garcia Outside on the third deck balcony, slate shingles were hung on the exterior surface of the Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration. |
Salvador Garcia and his son Julian Hanging the slate shingles on the exterior surface of the Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration. |
The 1905 Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration, in Golden Gate Park at Ocean Beach, near Lincoln Way. San Francisco. The tower finally begins to take form inside the scaffolding. July 29, 2011 |
Left to right, metal workers (local #104) Javier Coronado, Jason Hillard, and Mike Matison on top of the Murphy Windmill’s cap. On this day, the work of covering the windmill's cap with copper sheet tiles was finally finished. These are the men are responsible for covering the cap in copper sheets as part of the historic 1905 Murphy Windmill Restoration. |
The interior of the fourth level of the 1905 Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration. July 27, 2011 |
Inside on the fourth floor of the 1905 Murphy Windmill during the historic restoration. August 3, 2011 |
On the fifth and final level of the Murphy Windmill during the historic restoration. Left to right: Mark Finucane, Juan Guerrero, Luis R. Santos, Genaro Palomino, Jeff Davino, and Jose Lopez. |
The scaffolding is finally removed from around the Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration The view from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near Lincoln Way at Ocean Beach, San Francisco |
Bringing two sections of a sail spar together for assembly in the back lot of the Murphy Windmill, during its historic restoration. August 26, 2011 |
A welder in the work yard during the assembly and welding together of the sail spar. (Total length of sail spar, 117 feet ) Murphy Windmill, during its historic restoration. August 30, 2011 |
View of the fourth level during construction, inside the Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration. August 30, 2011 |
Juan Guerrero working high atop the Murphy Windmill, preparing it for the rotating ring and cap that would be installed soon after . . . as the final days of the windmill's historic restoration approached. August 30, 2011 |
A view of the third level inside the Murphy Windmill during its historic restoration August 30, 2011 |
When this photo was taken, the 68 ton copper-tile clad windmill cap was finally ready to be lifted to the top of the newly restored tower. This protective work shed was quickly dismantled in preparation for the installation of the cap. |
In the back lot of the Murphy Windmill, Gerald Kleyn, Gilbert Coyle, and Mark Finucane worked on the complex re-assembly of the Murphy Windmill's fantail. September 1, 2011 |
On September 1, 2011, there was an early morning appearance of a crane for hauling up newly delivered machine parts to the windmill’s outside balcony. This towering windmill structure was now ready to receive the 64 ton cap and 108 feet long wing stocks The view is from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near Lincoln Way at Ocean Beach, San Francisco |
On September 6, 2011, the protective shed covering the windmill's cap was pulled away on rollers and dismantled. |
A backyard view of the cap and tower soon to be joined together again after years of separation and restoration. September 6, 2011 |
On September 6, 2011, the machinery parts were installed on the various floors inside of the tower in preparation and anticipation of the cap and sail stocks being finally put in place atop the tower. |
The view from the top of the Murphy Windmill tower, looking down on the cap, the rotating ring, the sail spars, and the millwright's cottage. September 6, 2011 |
All the machinery inside of the windmill's cap was secured on September 8th and 9th. This was to insure that nothing inside the cap would shift or move during its ascent to the top of the tower. |
On Friday September 9th 2011, a monstrous crane drove four hours into San Francisco from Stockton California. It was followed by a fleet of eight flatbed semi trucks each bringing two ten-ton counter weights, and four massive squares for the crane’s extended legs to stand on securely. |
It took nearly three hours to set the crane up. Placement of the 135 tons of counter weight in 13 hauls took up most of that time. September 9, 2011 |
It was an astonishing accomplishment considering the ten-ton rotating ring was lifted nearly ten stories up to the top of the tower and was aligned into16 waiting bolts. All of it had to fit precisely with only a couple of centimeters of tolerance. The two-ton main axle was brought up right after and was placed in the center of the tower without a hitch. September 9, 2011 |
Once the crane was properly positioned and ready, it only took another hour to place the rotating ring atop the windmill’s tower. |
It was an astonishing accomplishment considering the ten-ton rotating ring was lifted nearly ten stories up to the top of the tower and was aligned into16 waiting bolts. September 9, 2011 |
All of it had to fit precisely with only a couple of centimeters of tolerance. September 9, 2011 |
September 9, 2011 |
The two-ton main axle was brought up right after and was placed in the center of the tower without a hitch. September 9, 2011 |
Early in the morning on September 12, 2011, the 68 ton windmill's cap was secured by the crane's crew in preparation for its being hoisted to the top of the newly reconstructed tower. |
Final preparations and making sure that everything is secure before lifting the 68 ton cap to the top of the windmill's tower. September 12, 2011 |
On Monday September 12, 2011, the historic restoration of the 1905 Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park took a quantum leap forward. The 68-ton copper-clad cap was raised by crane to the top of the newly restored tower. Once the cap was in place, the two 108 ft long sail spars where taken up by the crane and threaded through 4 ft square openings in the axle on the outside of the cap. I spent the entire day photographing the incredibly well choreographed procedure. |
The 68 ton cap being lifted up to the top of the windmill's tower. September 12, 2011 |
The view of the cap as it was lifted up to the top of the tower as seen from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near Lincoln Way at Ocean Beach, San Francisco September 12, 2011 |
The 68 ton cap as it slowly moved its way towards the top of the tower, and minutes before it was placed on top of the recently installed rotating ring. |
Workmen on top of the tower as the cap slowly came down into place atop the rotating ring. (The rotating ring and its wheels allows the 68 ton cap to revolve a full 360º depending on the winds.) |
As the cap came down, a crane's workman on top of the tower communicated with the crane operator on the ground instructing him in how and where to move the massive windmill cap so that it would come down perfectly on to the rotating ring. September 12, 2011 |
This photo was taken at the moment the cap finally came to rest on top of the ring. |
This photo was taken from far out on the fantail as workmen disconnected the braces and straps from the cap thereby releasing it from the crane. September 12, 2011 |
The view looking down to the Millwright's Cottage and crane shortly after the cap was placed on top of the tower. |
On September 12, 2011, the cap and tower were finally joined again after long years of being separated during the repair, restoration and reconstruction of the Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park. |
Once the cap was in place, an extension was fitted onto the crane to lengthen it in preparation for lifting the sail spars up to the cap's axle. |
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In the late afternoon on September 12, 2011, the first sail spar was lifted up to the top of the windmill. |
A view from on the ground, as workmen on the balcony watch the 117 ft long sail spar being positioned and placed through the axle on the front of the windmill's cap. |
The view from the balcony as the 117 ft long sail spar was threaded through the axle on the windmill's cap |
A close-up of workmen securing the first sail spar into the axle. |
I took this photo shortly after the sail spar had been secured in the afternoon on September 12, 2011. The photo was taken from far out on the fantail in the back of the windmill's copper tiled cap. |
September 12, 2011 |
September 12, 2011 |
A close-up bird's eye view of the axle and windmill's cap shortly after both sail spars had been secured. September 12, 2011 |
From the bucket of a cherry picker, a close-up bird's eye view of the axle and windmill's cap shortly after both sail spars had been secured. September 12, 2011 |
From high up in the bucket of a cherry picker, a close-up bird's eye view of the newlyrestored Murphy Windmill shortly after both sail spars had been secured. September 12, 2011 |
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Early Saturday morning on September 18, 2011, Gerald and Patrick from the Netherlands, began the work of finishing the sail spars on the 1905 Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park. |
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Shortly after noon on September 18, 2011, Gerald and Patrick finished applying the wood lattice to the sail spars. Having finally completed the work on the Murphy Windmill, Patrick returned to the Netherlands to be with his wife and 8 week old son Jacob. Gerald stays on for a couple more weeks to complete his part in the historic restoration of the windmill. These are a few of the photos from Saturday. |
Gerald and Patrick finishing the latticework on the sail spars. September 18, 2011 |
A bird's eye view of the just completed sail spars. September 18, 2011 |
A photo on September 18, 2011 of the finished Murphy Windmill after its historic 9 years-long restoration. |
Gerald unfurled the canvas for the first time on October 6, 2011. The sail spars began to turn and all was found to be working properly. A rogue storm came in off the Pacific in the afternoon and Gerald clocked the sail spars spinning at four revolutions per second at the axle. Knowing that, he figured the blades were turning at about 70 mph. |
A photo on November 8, 2011 of the finished Murphy Windmill after its historic 9 years-long restoration. At the time of this photo, the sail spurs were slowing turning in the wind coming in from the Pacific. |
A photo taken inside the finished Murphy Windmill after its historic 9 years-long restoration. November 8, 2011 |
(I've scratched my initials and the date in the copper tile on the backside of the cap near the fantail.) |
A photo taken inside the cap of the finished Murphy Windmill, after its historic 9 years-long restoration. November 8, 2011 When I took this photo, these gears inside were turning and the sail spurs outside were spinning. |
The Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park |
The Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park |
The Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park |
A close-up of the restored Murphy Windmill cap with sail spars August 31, 2015 |
The Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park |
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