1648
Early windmill presence
A windmill existed on or near the Black Mill site by the mid seventeenth century.
Site overview
Black Mill, also known as Owthorne Mill, is a former tower windmill at Waxholme near Withernsea. A windmill has stood on or near the site since at least 1648. The last known working period was around 1900.
The upper part of the tower was removed during the World Wars and the remaining structure was used as a lookout over the North Sea. The lower part of the tower survives as a local landmark.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Black Mill, also known as Owthorne Mill, stands at Waxholme near Withernsea. Although associated with Waxholme, the mill was built a few yards within the former parish boundary of Owthorne. A windmill has been present on or near the site since at least 1648.
The surviving structure is the remnant of a tower windmill, and the mill was last known to have worked around 1900. During the World Wars the upper part of the tower was removed and the remaining structure was used as a lookout over the North Sea. The bottom half of the tower survives as a visible former windmill structure.
Timeline
1900
Last known working period
The last known working period of the mill was around 1900.
1914–1945
Lookout use
The upper part of the tower was removed during the World Wars and the remaining structure was used as a lookout over the North Sea.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Black Mill, Waxholme
Windmill World entry: Waxholme windmill
VisitorUK local landmark entry
Ordnance Survey Yorkshire CCXLII.4, 1908
Windmill World entry: Waxholme windmill
VisitorUK local landmark entry
Ordnance Survey Yorkshire CCXLII.4, 1908