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Wind big part of Oklahoma's past and futureSHATTUCK, Okla. (AP)--To many a trip to a windmill museum seems about as exciting as fishing in an empty lake, but when such a museum stands in an area where its 100-year existence is grounded in the wind-powered machines, the same museum tends to become as fascinating as it is relevant. The Shattuck Windmill Museum was constructed in 1994, but the scope of the museum and its displays reach far beyond the short 17-year history. The museum features water pumping windmills that date back to the 1880s and museum director, Phillis Ballew is more than familiar with both the history and future of the types of devices which her museum houses. "Phillis is probably the expert on them in the area," said rancher, Clinton Davis, who still enlists the services of windmills on his ranch. The development of the water pumping windmill was a major factor in Oklahoma's emergence as a farming and ranching region and also gave way to the railroad culture of the southwestern United States. With the emergence of submersible water pumps, windmills are quickly becoming antiques and collectors items in many areas. Ballew and others believe this is not the case in northwestern Oklahoma. "Windmills will always be important to ranchers in this area simply because they have to have water to raise cattle," said Ballew, who believes windmills will continue to be a part of the culture of Northwest Oklahoma. "The water around here isn't that deep under ground so a six-foot windmill usually does the job. They are definitely the most dependable source of water for ranchers around here." Aside from their importance to farmers and ranchers in rural communities, the types of windmills that the museum boasts did their part in establishing commerce in this area. Windmills pumped water to fuel from wells to supply the needs of steam-powered locomotives in our area's early times, and in many cases were the driving force behind the transportation of raw materials. According to Ballew, the museum, which houses 47 windmills, draws in over 1,600 visitors each year. The museum has seen visitors from many of our nation's states, a phenomenon to which Ballew attributes to nothing more than childhood fascination. "I think people are just plain fascinated with them. There is something about a windmill. I used to climb them when I was a kid and I knew I could see Texas, but it felt like I could see Colorado. People are just fascinated by them," she said. The windmills, much like the guests of the park, are from a variety of Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Each has a specific build, appearance and function and Ballew is versed in the history of each piece. Ballew is excited about the future of the museum. She speaks of expansion with passion, describing new windmills and buildings that are in the works. However when it comes to the issue of practical uses for windmills in our area today, the jury seems to be split. "Right now windmills are the only way to get water up right now, but when it gets right down to it, it can't be done without a windmill, but there are some maintenance issues that present themselves. Some people are going to submersible pumps now because of the maintenance," said Davis, who owns and uses 10 or 12 windmills on his property southwest of Arnett. "And in rural communities it is certainly the most economic way to get your water." With the shortage of fuel in today's world, alternative energy sources have become a much-discussed topic. The erection of "modern-day windmills" or turbines on wind farms north of Woodward and Fort Supply have shown the dedication to wind power and its uses. Over $200 million has been invested in wind energy in the northwestern part of the state, and that number should continue to increase in coming years, as the search continues for an affordable and clean energy source. Wind energy, in fact, is a growing energy option across Oklahoma and many other states. Whatever the future of windmills and wind power, it will remain a stable of the early development in the region, a fact that Ballew and the Shattuck Windmill Museum will let nobody soon forget. Date: 6/7/07 Advertisement
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