Spocott Windmill Project 2075
In 1890, the Spocott children had to walk 1½ miles to the Castle Haven School on Castle Haven Rd. Today, it would be a 2½ mile walk because much of their original path to school is underwater. The sea level is rising, and the land in this area is subsiding. In 1970, when George L. Radcliffe began planning the reconstruction of his father’s mill, he logically wanted it placed where the original mill had been. Few were talking about the effects of rising sea levels at that point. In a recent October high tide, accentuated by a persistent east wind, the tide level reached the third step on the windmill. The windmill sits high atop four masonry posts, but will people be able to get to it in the future? Much of the property floods regularly, and Adaline’s House and the Blacksmith shop are inundated several times a year. The windmill has been here for over 50 years, but the Spocott Windmill Foundation needs a plan if the historic site is to survive another 50.
The windmill and village are frequent tourist stops in Dorchester County, with visitors from all 50 states and numerous other countries over the years. President Jimmy Carter visited frequently when visiting Dorchester County. The windmill image has appeared in multiple tour guides and on the Maryland state road map. Adaline’s House is often a second stop for tourists visiting the Harriett Tubman Educational Center. The Foundation wants this historic mill and village to be preserved and expanded as a vibrant ecotourism destination. It is unveiling its Spocott Windmill Project 2075 plan, which seeks to do that.
Spocott Windmill and Village, October 2021
Phase 1 – Allowing the windmill building to be able to be turned into the wind (2022)
The windmill must be turned into the wind to operate. One person can turn the entire structure by moving the tailpole wheel. With rising sea levels, much of the ground the wheel moved over became marsh. The wheel was sinking into the often-saturated ground, making moving difficult. In 2022, the circular path that the wheel moved over was excavated and filled with gravel.
Phase 2 – Ongoing maintenance (2023)
A painter, carpenter, and groundskeeper have been hired to inspect and regularly maintain all the village structures and property.
Phase 3 – The new Spocott Windmill Website (Completed 2025)
The Spocott Windmill website has an entirely new look. It had to be moved from a problem host, and Salt Water Media in Berlin, MD, is now hosting and maintaining it. Check out spocottwindmill.org, and you will see that the site is in good hands. With the many changes visitors will see in the next few years, the Foundation wanted an active site to keep supporters and visitors abreast of the progress. The site is far more than an overview of the mill and village; It is a repository of much of the local history of that area.
Phase 4 – Making the Windmill Operational (2025)
The Richardson Maritime Museum has rebuilt the blades that the sails go on. They will be back onsite by our April 19 open house. The spars that attach the blades to the main shaft must be repaired and the blades reattached. The windmill should then be able to operate.
Phase 5 – Engineering and Design (Begun 2025)
It has become increasingly clear that the property's east side must be abandoned. The area floods regularly and has succeeded to marsh. The Blacksmith Shop and Adaline’s House are in this area, and the latter had a foot of water in it during a recent coastal storm. These will have to be moved to higher ground.
Visitors to the property now walk down a central “avenue” that separates the two sides of the village. Part of this floods regularly; within 10 years, much will be inaccessible on a high tide. The plan is to move that central avenue to the west side of the Schoolhouse, Doctor’s Office, and Store. Adaline’s House and the Blacksmith Shop will be moved to the west side of the property, and visitors will be able to access the Schoolhouse and Doctor’s Office from the west side. Much of this area will have to be raised significantly with fill to do this. The windmill structure is well above a flood tide but will eventually need elevated access for visitors.
With Jeff Hubbard's and others' assistance, we are developing a technical design to allow us to do this. That process has begun.
Phase 6 – Raising the southwest section of the property (2026)
Once proper approval is solicited, the southwest section will be raised to four feet above the high tide level. The new area will be planted, and walkways will be established.
Phase 7 – Moving Buildings (2027)
Adaline’s House and the Blacksmith Shop will be moved to the west side of the property and made accessible to all. The east side will be returned to and managed as a marsh.
Phase 8 – Long-term Windmill Maintenance Plan (2027
Amazingly, Jim Richardson built the Spocott Windmill with no blueprints. He built rough models until he found a design that worked, and from that, he built the mill you see today. However, blueprints are needed for the outfits that will help develop a long-term maintenance plan and perform the required maintenance to keep the mill running well into the future. Once blueprints are in hand, the Foundation will get assistance to develop the long-term maintenance plan.
Phase 9 – Establishing the Spocott Windmill and Village as an Ecotourism Location (2030 and beyond)
With the property changes completed, the Foundation hopes to add:
- A gift shop and museum that can be open on a more regular basis
- A short interpretive nature trail and bird observation platform
- A kayak launch
- A history center in an existing building that can also serve as restrooms for visitors and a part-time vacation rental to generate supplemental income
This is subject to funding, and the Spocott Windmill Foundation will seek grants and donations. The Foundation extends a huge thank you to the many who have supported the mill and village over the last 53 years.