Lemmensmolen, Kinrooi

Lemmensmolen is a stone belt-type windmill standing on Breeërsteenweg in Kinrooi, in the Belgian province of Limburg. Its round tower rises above the flat Kempenbroek landscape typical of the area and has for decades served as one of the village's recognizable landmarks.

Who built the mill, and when?

The mill was built in 1856 by Frans Verbeeck-Coenen (1826–1882), which is why older mill registers and sources also list it under the name Molen Verbeeck. It was constructed as a grain mill, but until 1906 it served a double purpose — both grain and oil were milled there, a practical arrangement in a 19th-century rural economy that let a single family run two lines of production under one roof.

How did the mill's technology evolve?

The history of Lemmensmolen is largely a story of gradual mechanization. In 1907 a petrol engine was installed, freeing the miller from dependence on the wind during calm days. In 1934 the mill was fitted with streamlined Dekker-system sails, an upgrade meant to squeeze more power out of the available wind. Those sails were replaced in 1952 with sails of the Van Bussel system. Despite these upgrades, wind power was used only until 1964 — after that point the mill ran solely on its petrol engine.

Where does the name Lemmensmolen come from?

The current name comes from the Lemmens family, who took ownership of the mill in 1919. It is this family that came to be associated with the mill for the longest stretch of its history, which is why their name stuck locally even though the building was originally tied to the Verbeeck family.

Why did the mill almost disappear from the landscape?

Once regular milling stopped, the building fell into disrepair. The situation grew serious enough that in 1979 the owner decided to have the mill demolished. That demolition never happened — thanks to the involvement of local residents and neighborhood initiatives, the mill was saved and restored instead. This episode is still cited today as an example of a local community stepping in to protect a piece of its own heritage from permanent loss.

What protected status does Lemmensmolen hold today?

Since 1981 the mill has been a protected heritage monument, recognizing its value as a witness to the region's rural economy and milling technology in Kempenbroek. Today it stands as a lasting feature of the Kinrooi landscape — a site that ties together the story of one local family, the evolution of windmill technology in Limburg, and a community's effort to rescue a piece of its own history.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lemmensmolen still used to mill grain? The available facts do not confirm any ongoing milling production — the site functions primarily as a preserved piece of industrial heritage.

Can visitors go inside the mill? The facts available for this description do not specify current visiting arrangements; it is worth checking directly before a visit.

Why does the mill carry a different name than its original builder? Because the name honors the Lemmens family, owners from 1919 onward, rather than builder Frans Verbeeck-Coenen from 1856 — which is why mill registers sometimes also list it as Molen Verbeeck.