Mengé mill

Location: Zuidbroekstraat, 8340 Oostkerke [gps]
Accessibility: not accessible

In between the more well-known village mill and the castle of Oostkerke stands, partially hidden between trees and bushes, another mill.  If you don't pay attention, you pass it without noticing.  It is a little older than the one in the Eienbroekstraat; built in 1854 and served amongst other things for the grinding of corn.  The wings and cap have been stripped off.  This windmill is called the "old mill" or the "Mengé mill". 

In 1886, repairs were executed but only 3 years later the windmill did not function anymore and it would never be used anymore for its initial purpose.  In 1890, the wings were stripped off.  Between 1910 and 1930 the millhouse was inhabited by a certain Louis Mengé, the person who gave his name to the mill.  In 1937, baron van der Elst purchased it and added it to the domain of the castle.  The baron arranged for the windows and the interior to be renewed. 

During the Second World War, the trunk was temporarily used for living purposes.  The millhouse, the stables and the mill were destroyed in 1944; only the trunk of the mill was restored.