It is likely that the house changed to being a public house somewhere between 1865, when it was not listed in the Slaters Trade Directory, and 1869, when 'Windmill' was listed as being a 'Tavern and Public House', being run by Robert Gerrard. At that time that part of Wigan Road was known as Moor Street. There is some uncertainty, however, as a Robert Gerrard was listed as being a 'beer retailer' in Wigan Road in the 1864 Kelly's Directory, but the premises is not named. Either he operated from different premises, or the 'Windmill' had not yet been named.

Robert Gerrard was still the landlord in 1873 (Kelly's P.O. Directory), but by the 1881 Census The Windmill had a new landlord, Richard Lea, who lived there with his wife Margaret and William Gerrard, who is listed as 'brother', but of whom it is not clear. They all hailed from Ormskirk, and it could be that they were somehow related to Robert Gerrard the first landlord. In 1881 the pub had a new address of 6 Wigan Road, and interestingly next door (No.8 Wigan Road) was also being run as an Inn in that year.

By 1887 the pub had changed hands again, and was being run by Charles Blundell, who earlier that decade had lived just across the road at 9 Wigan Road with his family. The 1891 Census records the name of the pub as the 'Windmill Inn', and living at the pub was Charles Blundell, recorded as the 'publican' and then aged 49, who was a widower originally born in Downholland. Living with him was Thelma A. Blundell (18), his daughter, and Charles E. Blundell, his son, who was a garage apprentice. Also living there was Hannah (24), , Charles' eldest daughter who had been born in Halsall, and her husband Alexander Gouge (27)who was born in Liverpool and a joiner by profession.

The family were clearly keen bowlers, with the Ormskirk Advertiser on the 11th August 1900 recording Charles Blundell, Charles E. Blundell and Alexander Gouge as playing for the Windmill against the Talbot, in what was the first meeting metween the two clubs. The full text from the Advertiser can be viewed on the Club History page.

The 1901 Census records that the address had changed again to 24 Wigan Road. The pub was called the Windmill Hotel in 1901, and the household consisted of Charles Blundell who was still recorded as the 'innkeeper', and his new wife Elizabeth (aged 51 and born in Burscough). Also living at the pub was Ellen Gouge (21), who was described as a general servant/domestic, who had been born in Ormskirk. Probably she was the sister of Alexander, who by this time had left home with Charles' eldest daughter. However, they hadn't gone far - they were living just around the corner at 4 Mill Street!

Charles Blundell remained as landlord until after the First World War - a period of over 30 years. He was last recorded as landlord in the 1918 Kelly's Directory, when he would have been the ripe old age of 76. However, this does suppose that his son, also called Charles, did not take over the running of the pub sometime after 1901.

The 1924 Kelly's Directory lists a new landlord - William Henry Gibbons.

This is all the information I have been able to gather together to-date, but if anyone has further information on the history of the Windmill, please contact me using the links on the contact page.