Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Hello...I'm new to windmills and am now fully engaged! I recently recovered this Corcoran plate, dated 1895, while metal detecting. This particular piece is tied to some tasty history, so I'm interested in any information about it or others like it. I've googled all I can about Corcoran but can't find any pictures of other "footings" or whatever this is exactly called. To begin, can anyone confirm that this went to a windmill? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but there was a suspension bridge nearby and it would be great to clarify whether it's windmill or suspension bridge related. Interestingly, there appears to be a small amount of wood still attached...so a wooden structure? Weighs about 100lbs. Thank you!

Welcome to the forum April. WOW what a great find and yes that definitely is a foot to a wooden Corcoran tower. A.J. Corcoran windmills and towers were some of the finest towers and windmills.I recently found one of his mills still in the original wooden crate and now is with Jim Corcoran from Texas and is on this forum. There might be 3 more feet in that area and possibly parts to the mill. Please keep us posted and thank you. Dan from N Y.

Nice find April!

150 lbs! Wow.

April when you get a chance could you please give me the dimensions of the foot ? Thanks !!

Nice find!

Jim , it's got your family name on it !
but , how to get it from NH to TX , 150 lbs

In my search for more foot plates, I dug this up yesterday, along with a bunch of other metal parts I suspect are part of this windmill. We also dug a cool-looking tool that might have been used on the windmill?? I'll post more pics later after I clean some of the parts up.

Tools are my favorite thing to dig, so I was quite envious when my brother pulled this out. What is it?? I had just dug a metal file at the edge of the well hole (or whatever the pit is called under the windmill) and was thrilled. Two seconds later, my little brother stole my thunder! Found about 15 feet from the windmill hole. Credit due to my bro Brian: he also detected and extricated the A.J.C piece pictured here, but I didn't let him take it home

Good to hear from you April, apparently you stumbled across the mills bone yard. That piece your brother is holding looks to be part of the pump rod i believe. Thanks and keep us posted. Dan !!

Keep on with your search. This might help you identify some of the parts you are finding.