Count Reinier Vincent van Hompesch owned the Heerlijkheid (the lowest administrative and judicial unit in rural areas in the Netherlands) of Stevensweert from 1719 onwards. He wanted his own mill, where the residents of the villages of Stevensweert and Ohé had to grind their grain so that the count could claim a share of the revenue. The mill was built between 1721 and 1722.
The Hompesche Mill is a so-called Stellingmolen (tower platform). From this platform, the miller could position the sails. The mill has eight floors (so-called attics), including the cellar, which was also used as a prison. The building is made entirely of brick and has a circular shape. At 37 meters high, it is the tallest grain mill in the province of Limburg.
During World War II, the mill was severely damaged and could no longer be used. It was restored between 1948 and 1949, but fell out of service again and deteriorated, leading to further renovations between 1975 and 1977. Afterward, a volunteer miller milled wheat and barley for livestock feed for many years.
Between 2005 and 2013, the outbuildings and the miller's house housed a visitor center. Since 2009, the adjacent miller's house has housed a brasserie. In 2014, the mill became the property of the Vereniging Natuurmonumenten (a Dutch nature conservation society). In 2015, the mill was restored and opened to the public.
Source:
ipernity.com/doc/294067/50463828