Nederland - Winterswijk, Den Helder

Watermill Den Helder is a former double undershot corn and oil watermill on the course of the Boven-Slinge near Winterswijk. The watermill is a Dutch national monument.

The earliest known mention of the mill dates back to 1303 when it was part of Havezate Plekenpol (a manor or fortified farmhouse). For many years, the mill was called Plekenpolsemolen. At the end of the 19th century, the mill came into the possession of "Jan Helder" and was named Den Helder ever since.

In 1922, the mill was sold by auction to “Derk Jan Berenschot”, owner of another water mill nearby. He bought the mills to eliminate competition for his own mill. From 1923, therefore, the mills are no longer in operation. An ice cream parlour was established in the oil mill and the corn mill became a cafe after a conversion in 1934.

From the 1970s in the last century, the water mills slowly fell into disrepair. A thorough restoration was completed in 2016 and the watermill is once again operating, albeit for electricity generation. The two buildings have since been used as homes.