Hovaeremolen, Koekelare

Hovaeremolen is a historic post mill (staakmolen) standing in the town of Koekelare in the West Flanders province of Belgium. The mill's history stretches back to the early eighteenth century, forming part of the long tradition of industrial windmills that once shaped the countryside across this region of Flanders.

Where does the name come from?

The origin of the name Hovaeremolen remains somewhat uncertain among local historians. The surname Hovaere appears frequently in Koekelare's parish records, but it is not entirely clear whether the mill actually belonged to someone bearing that name or whether it simply took its name from the residents of a nearby hamlet called Hovaere. This kind of ambiguity is fairly common among historic Flemish windmills, where naming conventions often trace back to local topography and the families associated with a given place.

What were the mill's early years like?

The mill first appears on cadastral maps in 1705, recorded as a wooden post mill. In 1711, a proper staakmolen was erected on the site specifically for grinding grain. For decades afterward, the windmill served as a vital piece of economic infrastructure for the surrounding farming community, turning grain into the flour needed for everyday bread production.

What changed in the nineteenth century?

A significant turning point came in 1873, when the owner granted the miller permission to convert the windmill from a grain mill into a combined grain and oil mill. The following year, in 1875, the internal mechanism was modified, and a stone-built tower house replaced the earlier wooden structure at its base. This transformation allowed the operation to expand into oil pressing, which increased the mill's economic importance within the region.

How did the mill survive the world wars?

The First World War forced an entirely new role onto the mill. The German occupying forces used the windmill as an observation post while also requiring it to keep operating for their needs, and the passageway inside the mill mound served as an army kitchen during this period. Milling activity finally came to a halt in 1958, and by 1963 the last rotor had been removed from the structure, leaving the building to face a long period of decline.

How was the mill restored?

The fortunes of Hovaeremolen turned in 1968, when the town of Koekelare purchased the deteriorating structure. Five years later, in 1973, the mill was granted protected monument status. A pivotal moment came in 1988, when the mill was entrusted to the non-profit organization Hovaeremolen, which carried out a thorough restoration between 1996 and 1998. Thanks to this work, the windmill regained its technical functionality and today operates both as a working grain mill and an oil press.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hovaeremolen? It is a historic post mill (staakmolen) in Koekelare, historically used for grinding grain and, later, pressing oil.

When was the mill built? The first staakmolen was erected on this site in 1711, though the location already appears on cadastral maps as early as 1705.

Is the mill still operational? Following the restoration carried out between 1996 and 1998, the mill regained working order and now functions as an active grain mill and oil press.

What role did it play during the First World War? The German occupying forces used it as an observation post, and the passageway inside the mill mound served as an army field kitchen.