Kathammer, Volendam

The Kathammer is a windmill in the hamlet Achterdichting of the village Katwoude, under Volendam. It is an octagonal indoor windmill with the function of a polder mill. The sails have a flight of approximately 26.50 meters. The mill is also called De Katwoudermolen. De Kathammer is a naming after the nearby village Katham, now a hamlet of Volendam. While the other name refers to the village of Katwoude.

The mill was probably built in 1650. On Saint Nicholas Eve, December 5, 1896, the mill was largely destroyed by fire. Miller Klaas Kelderman was sitting in the mill with his eleven-year-old daughter on his lap, when suddenly lightning struck, killing the girl instantly, and the miller himself was badly burned on his back.

A year later the mill was rebuilt. Hasker Kelderman went to live there. That's why the Volendammers called the mill, and the small lake created by a former dike breach, for a long time the Asker Mill, and the Asker Creek.

In 1911, the sails and cap were removed. The mill retained the function of a pumping station. In 1986 the mill was restored. A new cap with sails was placed on the body. Since then, the mill bears 1986 as the year.

Owner of the mill is Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier.