Sounds something like one of the Curious George books my granddaughter refers to as her Monkey George Books, but looking over the photos Keith Mosier sent, I think it took a little more work and coordination.

Lamar, Colorado - Raymond drives the city boom truck.

Bob Emick, life time rancher from south of Lamar, and his sons gather windmills from around the country, pulling them into service either as active windmills pulling precious water from the ground, or as show pieces on their farm south of Lamar.  This showpiece centered the entry to the Emick Ranch and welcomed newcomers to the windfarm offices facing Hwy 287 after being transported to the family ranch from New Mexico.

When Bob Emick loaned the windmill to the community, he made sure they understood it was on loan by sharing a now familiar story.

The first windmill ever built in the United States was built in Ohio. After the windmill was taken down, the community boxed it up and put it in storage. A new city administrator moved in and took over the running of the community. He wanted to use the storage, so he had city workers take the crated windmill to the dump. So, for that reason, Bob made it very clear that he’s loaning the windmill to the City of Lamar for display. When that display comes down, Bob expects the windmill to be taken back to the Emick Ranch.

Lifting the Windmill out of the display at Emick Ranch

This particular windmill is self governing, which means that if the wind gets too high, the tail folds in against the wind mill and the windmill will stop turning. By stopping the windmill, damage from the wind is minimized.

The blade portion of the windmill is 18 feet across. Blades are first dipped into white paint, then in red paint 17 inches up the blade for a red and white circle. All metal parts are dipped in blue paint making this windmill red, white and blue. Made by the United States Wind Engine and Pump company in Illinois, this unit is between 110 and 115 years old. Bob Emick purchased the unit when the Windmill Trade Fair was held in Lamar, from a dealer in New Mexico. This year, the Windmill Trade Fair met in Nebraska for the 22nd time.

Standing the Watermill Tower beside the 1819 in downtown Lamar

This particular mill is recognized as a Rail Road Mill, because back when trains traveled via steam, windmills were placed along side the tracks, along with water towers, to keep enough water ready for the trains at any stations.

Bob intends to bring a bit of Lamar’s history back. He reminded this writer of the Blackwell Station incident where A.R. Black was called to Pueblo on urgent business, while farmers gathered at his place to load the Blackwell Station – now the Lamar Train Depot – onto flat bed cars that arrived precisely at midnight and hauled them three miles west where the train depot now stands. The next morning, $45,000 worth of lots were sold along main Street and the City of Lamar was born.

Setting up the Windmill base can be hard work.

Bob and Helen Emick have seven boys and one daughter. Although they each have different interests, all still reside on or near the ranch south of Lamar, where the family has invested heavily in Wind Generators. Bob’s infatuation with wind continues with a new generation of windmills.

For this project, Donald Emick works to maintain the structure of the windmills, while brother Kenneth strives to maintain the quality of engineering necessary to keep the windmill operational. Michael, another brother, provides and helps with earth moving equipment that comes in handy for setting up mills, digging wells where needed and leveling any ground around the mills necessary for providing the solid base required for the mills.

US Wind Engine & Pump Company manufactured this windmill

When speaking with various members of the Emick family, “Saint Helen” was mentioned. Now, I remember Helen Emick as the secretary at my grammar school way back when, so I have fond memories of her anyway… But, the way these guys talk about her, you’d think she had wings. At least until they mention her spark —

The story goes —

Back during the big blizzard of 2007, when the National Guard came out to southeastern Colorado, they couldn’t seem to find their way to the Emick Ranch. After a few phone calls, the Emick family (as usual, had pretty much covered the needs of their cattle and were helping neighbors out) when the third phone call came from the Guard. Helen, her usual calm, reserved self, smiling confidently replied in frustration, “Ah, just go back home. We don’t need you!”

Lamar's Boom Truck aids in standing the Windmill tower in place on the Train Depot Site

Guests on the Emick Ranch are the norm, rather than an event. However, Helen always makes it an event. She makes you feel warm and welcome, all while continuing to manage her home in the usual comfortable manner that indicates to most all who come around that, she loves her home, her family and the friends who stop by.

As winter storms and snow give way to the bright spring days of another coming summer on the prairies of Southeastern Colorado, there’s little doubt that there will be plenty to do on the Emick Ranch, as on most of the farms and ranches around Prowers County. Even so, you’ll find Helen, Bob and the boys, along with their wives and families mingling and traveling through the community looking for something else that needs doing, some other project they can help along, or some interesting site they can promote while reminding the community of our long and delightful history.

Helen and Don actively participate in the Big Timbers Museum and Prowers County Historical Society events and happenings. Their presence is felt at meetings, behind the scene helping out with maintenance and upkeep on the wagons currently owned by the Prowers County Commissioners, and on the newly planned addition to the Big Timbers Museum. Stop by the website, or visit the museum to see one of the many displays being presented at the Museum.

Putting together the blades of the Windmill

Now that the windmill is set up, on site, the water tower is in progress. According to Bob, the whole set up will be ready for display next week, in plenty of time for the Lamar Days Parade and presentation to be made on May 15th.

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