Higgins family transforms old windmill into massive Christmas tree

When the holidays arrive, Tim Higgins begins to channel his inner Clark Griswold.

Higgins, with the help of his family, has transformed an old windmill into a massive Christmas tree -- maybe the tallest in Shelby County.

If you drive west out of town on Old Franklin Road, eventually you will see bright lights in the distance. As you get closer, you will see the Higgins’ family 40-foot Christmas tree.

According to Higgins, there are approximately 700 lights attached to the old windmill, which has been on the property for over 100 years. The windmill blades have been removed and replaced by a glowing star.

“You can see it from (State Road) 44, which is kind of neat,” Higgins said. “We say it jokingly, having the tallest tree in the county, but I am not sure who else has a tree like it. If there is a bigger one, I would love to see it because I am all about them.”

Higgins said this is his family’s fourth year decorating the windmill. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, family and friends are invited over to see the lights turned on. It has been a “fun” Christmas tradition, especially for the young kids in the family. 

“The idea came from the one on Monument Circle (downtown Indianapolis),” Higgins said. “My kids did that when they were little. When I moved the windmill on the property, I thought I could just make this into a tree.

“We built a frame around it and bought all the lights and cables. We made it so they (lights) can be replaced and lowered every year. You have to get inside the windmill. I am getting older and fatter, so it is not as easy. It takes probably three hours to put it up and three hours to take it down.”

If your family wants to stop by and take photos of the tree, feel free to do so, Higgins said. There is a gravel driveway near the tree that vehicles can use to turn around.

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