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Well and Windmill

Three wells were known to have existed on the Leonis Adobe property. They were hand-dug and lined with bricks. In 1880, the water table for a well in the area was only about 12 feet deep; today it would be closer to 200 feet. When a well dried up, it was simply abandoned for a new location. Old, inoperative wells were commonly used as dumping sites. When our current well was excavated years earlier, many discarded objects were found and are currently on display in the Plummer House.

Old photographs of the property were used to determine the original location of the well and windmill. Fortunately, during the initial excavation, the foundation of the corner posts was immediately found.

A windmill is simple and efficient. Wind turns the rotor blades, which in turn, pumps water from the well to the water tank through a pipe. Water can also be deposited from the well into a trough by connecting the pipe to a hand pump. The installation of a recirculation pump for an original well on the property allows us to simulate a working well for visitors.

 

Leonis Adobe Museum Historic Home and Ranch
  1. The Leonis Adobe House
  2. Miguel Leonis, The Big Basque
  3. Espiritu Chijulla Leonis
  4. Marcelina Leonis
  5. Juan Menendez
  6. Living Room
  7. Corner Cabinets
  8. Piano
  9. Dining Room
  10. Kitchen
  11. Cellar and Pantry
  12. Upper Rear Hallway
  13. Menendez Room
  14. Espiritu's Bedroom
  15. Sewing Room
  16. Front Upstairs Veranda
  17. Outdoor Oven or Horno
  18. Oak Tree
  19. Poultry and Doves
  20. Guinea Hens
  21. Turkeys
  22. Barn and Blacksmith Shop
  23. Carriages and Buggies
  24. Miguel's Land and Property Map
  25. Bath House
  26. Laundry Area
  27. Well and Windmill
  28. Tank House and Water Tank
  29. Orsua Room
  30. Vineyard
  31. Fruit Trees
  32. Vegetable Garden
  33. Longhorn Cattle
  34. Merino Sheep
  35. Nubian and Angora Goats
  36. Percheron Draft Horses
  37. Farm Implements
  38. Wagons
  39. Outhouses
  40. The Plummer House