The Napoleonsmolen was built in 1804 by a company of seven entrepreneurs. The date of foundation is commemorated in an inscription on the body, with the double notation: AN XII (the year 12) - 1804. It is clear that the mill was built with a rich purse: very good quality masonry and intact, well-finished beams under the attics. This mill was a mountain mill. In all probability the mountain was walled, and this wall was connected to the body with brick arches with indentations. It is still visible that these indentations have been bricked up. The owners were not millers themselves, the mill was rented out. In 1862, miller-tenant Louis Matthijssen bought all the shares for 18,000 francs. He was the brother of doctor Mathijsen, the inventor of the plaster cast. In 1872, the mill was inherited by Willem Matthijssen, son of Louis. Willem sold the mill in 1879 for 14,000 Belgian francs to his servant Jacob Vanasten-Driesen, who in turn sold it in 1886 to Peter Van Bree-Segers for the sum of 10,700 francs. In 1982 the mill was given the status of monument. Until 1990 the mill remained in the possession of the Van Bree family, who transferred the mill to the municipality of Hamont-Achel. They commissioned the restoration of the mill. The work was carried out in 1996/1997 by millwright Adriaens from Weert.