Hart Hill Windmill
This Historic Site, Ruins of a Sugar Estate, was Recently Visited by Ivor Conolley
I arrived at the site at Hart Hill at about 10:00 am and met with Devon Baldy who identified himself as the owner of some eight acres of land in the area. He said the original buildings of the factory works and residences are spread out on other privately owned properties in the area. He showed me one structure fairly preserved and several foundation features in
various parts of the property. These foundations may be the location of the mill house, still house, overseer’s house and great house. However, careful investigation, including archival research, is needed to ascertain what these foundations were.
The most outstanding feature of the property was the ruins of a nineteenth century windmill. A date of 1827 was inscribed on a stone panel on the inner part of the structure. A name, possibly Murphy, was also inscribed next to it. Other period markings were observed but were defaced by modern writing. Inscriptions found were located in a cubicle between the conical structure and the mill house on the left wall when facing away from the mill house about 1.5
metres from the floor.
The structure is entirely of cut stone, faced on six sides typical of the method used during this period. The height is approximately 10- 12 metres, and is one of the largest windmill ruins I have observed to date. Another large windmill structure is located in Clarendon and has been adapted for use as a small library. The structure in Hart Hill has been kept free of foliage and is relatively intact. There are several openings in the structure reflecting damage and in need of reinforcement by supporting beams and other repairs using lime mortar and cut stone.
The windmill ruins in Hart Hill are located on the property of Devon Baldy, originally from St. Thomas, but who has made his home in Hart Hill for over 20 years. He has an avid interest in the history of Jamaica and has done research at the National Library where he has obtained
copies of maps and documents of the area. He says that the Jamaica National Heritage Trust visited the property some years ago. He plans to use the site as a heritage attraction.
- Written by Ivor Conolley
Please click on the images below to enlarge them and read the captions:
I arrived at the site at Hart Hill at about 10:00 am and met with Devon Baldy who identified himself as the owner of some eight acres of land in the area. He said the original buildings of the factory works and residences are spread out on other privately owned properties in the area. He showed me one structure fairly preserved and several foundation features in
various parts of the property. These foundations may be the location of the mill house, still house, overseer’s house and great house. However, careful investigation, including archival research, is needed to ascertain what these foundations were.
The most outstanding feature of the property was the ruins of a nineteenth century windmill. A date of 1827 was inscribed on a stone panel on the inner part of the structure. A name, possibly Murphy, was also inscribed next to it. Other period markings were observed but were defaced by modern writing. Inscriptions found were located in a cubicle between the conical structure and the mill house on the left wall when facing away from the mill house about 1.5
metres from the floor.
The structure is entirely of cut stone, faced on six sides typical of the method used during this period. The height is approximately 10- 12 metres, and is one of the largest windmill ruins I have observed to date. Another large windmill structure is located in Clarendon and has been adapted for use as a small library. The structure in Hart Hill has been kept free of foliage and is relatively intact. There are several openings in the structure reflecting damage and in need of reinforcement by supporting beams and other repairs using lime mortar and cut stone.
The windmill ruins in Hart Hill are located on the property of Devon Baldy, originally from St. Thomas, but who has made his home in Hart Hill for over 20 years. He has an avid interest in the history of Jamaica and has done research at the National Library where he has obtained
copies of maps and documents of the area. He says that the Jamaica National Heritage Trust visited the property some years ago. He plans to use the site as a heritage attraction.
- Written by Ivor Conolley
Please click on the images below to enlarge them and read the captions:
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