Solari Family Windmill

Built in the 1880’s on the Solari farm at Whipple Avenue and Old County Road in Redwood City, this windmill was moved in the 1930’s to the family’s new farm on Manzanita Street near Middlefield Road and the railroad tracks, two blocks east of its present-day location. It was moved again in 1990 after the property was sold, then disassembled and reconstructed on the grounds of Garfield School to prevent its demolition, later disassembled again and stored at a Redwood City maintenance yard. In May 2007, through the efforts of the City of Redwood City, Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department, and Redwood Parlor No. 66 Native Sons of the Golden West, it was reassembled and refurbished at its present location in Union Cemetery, Redwood City. The Solari Family Windmill is the last known functional windmill of its kind on the Peninsula. George Solari, its last owner, was born in Redwood City on January 14, 1904, lived on the family farms his entire life, joined Redwood Parlor No. 66 of the Native Sons of the Golden West on July 17, 1924, remained an active member for 65 years, served as Parlor President in 1945, and passed on to the Grand Parlor on High on March 29, 1998.

Redwood City, California · United States