Then
The watermill was first mentioned in 1526. Old feudal laws stipulated that running water and wind (i.e. natural resources) belonged to the ruler, who lent its use to the village head. The farmers in the area were obliged to have their grain milled at the village head’s mill. This allowed the miller, who was the ruler’s servant or leaseholder, to scoop the taxes in kind from the farmer’s flour bag into the ruler’s flour bag with each milling. Because the rivers in the Kempen area have only a slight drop, the wheels of watermills are usually driven at the bottom. Hence the name of undershot watermill.
Like the Tielen castle, the watermill was inherited for centuries. In 1918 miller Fik Dionys bought the mill with its house, horse stable and bakery. In the years following World War II, agriculture set off in new directions, making a miller’s profession unprofitable. In 1981 Louis Dionys, the last miller, died.
The mill was sold again and lovingly restored. The mill house was presumably built in 1681. Worth mentioning is the typical basket handle arch above the door.
Now
The watermill is privately owned.
