Built in 1738 and 1740, to keep water out of the polder, it is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands and one of the best-known Dutch tourist sites.

Large canals, called "weteringen", were dug to get rid of the excess water in the polders.

The Nederwaard and Overwaard water boards (both of which owned and operated a row of the mills) had steam powered pumping stations built.

The brick Nederwaard windmills were decommissioned, although the millers and their families were allowed to continue to inhabit them.

By this time there was already an appreciation for the windmills' picturesque charm, which led to resistance (even at the level of national politics) when the Overwaard water board formulated plans to demolish the eight octagonal mills.

The main water works are provided by two electric pumping stations near one of the entrances of the windmills site.