Jan Pol (windmill)

Jan Pol, or Jan Pol's Mill (often styled Jan Polsmolen or simply De Jan Pol), refers specifically to a type of Dutch windmill. The term typically designates a smaller type of polder windmill, traditionally used for draining water from polders (low-lying land reclaimed from water, protected by dikes).

Unlike larger industrial windmills used for grinding grain or sawing wood, Jan Pol windmills are generally smaller in scale and specifically designed for water management. They are characterized by their function within a larger drainage system, often working in conjunction with pumping stations to maintain water levels. Historically, these mills were essential for agriculture and habitation in the lowlands of the Netherlands.

The name "Jan Pol" itself likely originated from a common personal name associated with the ownership or operation of such windmills, although the exact etymology is often lost to history in individual instances. Many surviving Jan Pol windmills are now preserved as historical landmarks, offering insight into traditional Dutch water management techniques. They are considered an important part of the Dutch cultural heritage. While the term "Jan Pol" might be loosely applied to similar small drainage mills, its most accurate and useful application refers to mills specifically built and used for polder drainage in the Dutch style.