In 1859 Frederick Roebbecke built a seventy foot high wooden windmill on this site for grinding corn and grain. Situated on a prominent ridge, it commanded an excellent view of the scattered settlement. Barricaded with sacks of flour and grain, the mill became an important defense outpost in New Ulm during the 1862 Sioux uprising. On Saturday, August 23, intense fighting occurred around the mill, which was held by a small group of defenders. That evening it was set on fire and abandoned. Two days later New Ulm was evacuated. The settlers soon returned and reconstructed the settlement, but the windmill was never rebuilt.