Dutch Windmill Museum – History of the Dutch in Texas
I will be visiting the Netherlands on my first European Vacation in just a couple of months. With planning so many new places, it made me want to explore the areas more. It made me think of The Dutch Windmill Museum located in Tex Ritter Park in Texas we visited a few years ago.
On a visit to the Port Arthur Texas area, this quaint park was nearby in Nederland. A stop to explore and learn about the Dutch coming to the area, Tex Ritter, and a few more locals was a great break for a little slow down time. Plus a great gift shop filled with blue and white.
Tex Ritter Park
As you pull into Tex Ritter Park, the first thing you can’t miss is the 40-foot windmill. It is a true replica of an actual windmill, but not an exact copy of any known windmill. The bright blue accents make me think of all the blue and white associated with the Dutch.
Why is There a Windmill in Texas?
This windmill serves as a tribute to the Dutch settlers who founded Nederland in 1898. Located in Tex Ritter Park, a tribute to their most famous former resident, the “Singing Cowboy” himself. The park itself, is a great place to slow down and enjoy some peace, walking along the pathways, and other green space.
The first floor is dedicated to Tex Ritter, a few more locals, and a gift shop filled with items imported from the Netherlands (known as Holland in the past).
For Tex Ritter, known as the “Singing Cowboy” it showcases personal items donated by his family, including his performance suits, boots, and records. Many may not know he was the father to one of the more modern-day famous actors, John Ritter. You will even see photos of the young John and the entire family.
In addition to the Ritter collection, the museum honors native son W.F. “Buddy” Davis, displaying a patch from the gold medal he won in the high jump at the 1952 Olympics.
The 2nd floor wasn’t open during our visit. It does house more of the authentic Dutch artifacts such as wooden shoes and a trunk brought over from Holland in the late 1800’s. That’s a good reason to return.
Admission is free, but donations are happily accepted. For more details and hours, check HERE.
Details About Windmills
The construction began in 1969, a German engineer named Sam Bass built a scale model of the proposed structure. This model served as the blueprint for the 40-foot-tall building you see today.
The design incorporates many features common to 19th-century Dutch mills, including 25-foot blades which can revolve, though they do not power any machinery.
Here Comes the Dutch
Most came from two sources, direct immigration from the Netherlands and internal migration from established Dutch colonies in the American Midwest.
The first large migration was between 1897 and 1898, many recruited by agents, who received significant financial backing from Dutch bankers.
Most arrived by ship through the Port of Galveston before making their way inland to the “new” Nederland.
There isn’t a Dutch neighborhood anymore, but the presence of Dutch descendants remains a defining characteristic of the Nederland community.
Many residents in Nederland can still trace their lineage directly back to the 19th-century settlers. While the town has grown to a population of nearly 19,000, these families remain part of the community fabric.
When the oil boom hit the area, many moved to the area known as Acadian “Cajun” families moved in from Louisiana for work. That’s one of the reasons you find today, so much of the Cajun influence in the food. In fact, Port Arthur is known as Cajun Capital of Texas.
The Port Arthur Texas Area
ALL THINGS – VISIT PORT ARTHUR
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Happy Travels,
Rosemary
