Paul Behrends, owner of Paul’s Windmill & Crane Service of Foosland, Ill., reinstalled Batavia Public Library’s historic windmill this month after a two-year absence for repairs. (Al Benson photo)

The Batavia Public Library’s historic windmill has come home following a two-year absence for repairs.

Paul Behrends, owner of Paul’s Windmill & Crane Service in Foosland, Ill., led the installaton and preparation of the mill’s tower earlier this mont.

The Challenge direct stroke machine, dating from the early 1900s, was installed at the library in 2002 after donations by Jerry Rundle and Batavia Jaycees club.

The windmill was built by Challenge Wind Mill and Feed Mill Co., one of six windmill companies then based in Batavia.

According to “Windmill City: A Guide to to the Historic Windmills of Batavia, Illinois,” the library’s windmill is among 18 in the city.

The library is located 10 S. Batavia Ave.