De Oude Molen, Wijchen

De Oude Molen is a windmill in Wijchen, Gelderland province. The mill stands within the built-up area close to the Wijchen train station.

It is a large round stone bell mill dating from 1799, covered with roofing leather, with a flight of 24.00 m, which stands imposingly on a natural hill of historical value. The mill hill is a fairly high dune, formed about 10,000 years ago from river sand. Grave mounds from the Iron Age and graves from the Roman period have been found there.

The mill was built in 1799 by the then lord of the castle of Wijchen, Jan Carel d'Osy and sold in 1863 to miller De Kleyn, whose family owned the mill until 1970. The text "anno 1799 de oude molen" is inscribed on the cap ornament.

In 1910, a whirlwind blew away the windshield with its shaft and upper wheel. In the process, 2 people died, and the miller himself was injured. He died a short time later. The sails were then replaced by another sails system, which lasted until the end of the 30's. After that the mill received sails again.

In 1970 the mill was bought by the municipality of Wijchen, which restored it in 1974. With short interruptions, the mill has always been used as a corn mill and is still in professional use. The mill can be visited and one can buy flour.