MBT 30.06.004 paltrok sawmill De Eenhoorn

History

It was built in or before 1776 on the eastern bank of the Spaarne, on the site where an earlier sawmill may have stood from 1642. Maps from 1615 and 1642 mention a "Schalkwycker Mole" and a "Saegh Mole" respectively near this location.[1] The oldest record of the name De Eenhoorn is a deed of transfer from 1721. Why the mythical creature 'unicorn' was chosen for the naming is unknown. The name was transferred to the mill, which must have been built around 1776.

Around 1926/1927, an electric sawmill was built next to the mill. To preserve the mill, the Vereniging De Hollandsche Molen (Dutch Windmill Association) purchased it in 1927. In 1963, it was transferred to the municipality of Haarlem. During the same period, the large district of Schalkwijk arose near the towpath where the mill stands. As a result, the landscape value of De Eenhoorn in its surroundings has changed significantly. Since 2016, the neighbourhood in which the mill is located bears the name De Eenhoorn. The municipality is still the owner, but its management was transferred in 1986 to the Stichting Molens Zuid-Kennemerland (South Kennemerland Mills Foundation), which regularly operates the mill for sawing.

.General

• De Eenhoorn is a sawmill, in the category of paltrok mill.
• Location: Jaagpad 6F, Haarlem (via Zuid‑Schalkwijkerweg).
• National Monument Number: 19872

Technical characteristics & construction

• The entire mill body stands on a central post (king post) plus a ring of wooden rollers on a brick base. This allows it to be turned ('wound') to set the sails into the wind.
• The sawing floor is open on three sides; only the wind-facing side (front) and the side awnings offer some protection against harsh weather conditions.
• The sails (vanes) are common sails with a span of approximately 20 metres.
• There were originally four saw frames (sawing sections), which is unusual — most paltrok mills have three. One of these four was later removed and replaced by a weight/pump frame mechanism.

Restorations & use

• In 1992‑1993, the mill was (partially) restored, particularly the main structure, the substructure, and the left conical planking.
• 2015‑2016: damage to the foundation was discovered; the mill was temporarily shut down for inspection and repair of the foundation and other structural components.
• In 2019, work was carried out to replace the main foundation under the mill: foundation piles were pressed in, and the brick wall was largely replaced with concrete.
• The sails ('stocks') were recently (2023) renewed.

Specifications: