Stone Windmill
Why it's listed
Built in 1825 by Hugh McConnell, this round stone windmill at 143 Morris Street in Morristown was constructed as a gristmill. Its builders chose wind power because water power was not readily available. The coursed rubble walls rise about 40 feet and measure 77 feet around at the base. The vanes and internal gears have been removed, and the stairs and present roof date from the 1940s. A wooden stair leads to a lookout platform at the top, and several millstones remain on the property. The mill stands on a hilltop in a small park above the St. Lawrence River, surrounded by houses. It is described as the only surviving example of its type in northern New York; of four similar mills built in Canada, only two remain in comparable condition. Over time it served as a jail and as an Air Warning Systems observation post in World War II. The village owns it, and it is open on summer weekends. Local backers hope to rebuild the gears for educational use.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the only surviving example of its type in northern New York, though not completely intact. It was powered by wind because water power was not readily available, and it is cited as an example of the resourcefulness of early residents. It has also become a revered symbol of Morristown.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004689, listed September 2, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Morris St., Morristown |
|---|---|
| County | St. Lawrence County |
| Listed | September 2, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004689 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Hugh McConnell (builder) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Village-owned lookout in a small park, open to the public on summer weekends; condition rated fair, with no known threats. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 44.59003, -75.64684 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004689.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15252517
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.