I recently spotted this unfortunate windmill while heading up to Arena to check on the status of St. John’s Church (it’s still there.) and had to stop for a few photos. I don’t remember every finding one in this condition.

That one lonely yet sturdy strip of metal is holding this windmill together. It doesn’t show any sign of failing any time soon, a testament to “they don’t build ’em like they used to”.

I’ll never understand the charm of these old windmills, but I do recognize that many hold the same fascination with them as I do. It’s always a delight to spot one in a photographically interesting location, with a unique shape or design, or in a particularly photogenic state of disrepair. This has to be one of the more eye-catching windmill sights I’ve seen while working the North Dakota highways, and I’m glad it caught my eye.