Grain Elevators - Disappearing Prairie Sentinels

[@brsc7818]

As a photographer who loves the prairies, grain elevators are one of my favourite subjects when I have a chance to photograph them. I even saw my hometown in the video :)

[@oilersridersbluejays]

I grew up and still farm in western Saskatchewan. Some towns here still have an elevator or two standing but quite a few (especially the little villages and hamlets), the elevators are gone. The grain dependent rail lines are quite often abandoned and torn up now too. Luckily, there are still some grain dependent rail lines that are now owned by short lines, and they quite often haul grain cars from the remaining small town elevators on those lines, so the future looks bright for those lucky ones. We used to haul our grain 6 miles into town with a 300 bushel 3 ton grain truck and later dad also bought a 600 bushel tandem axle grain truck. Nowadays, for me it's a one hour drive one way to the closest grain terminal on the main rail lines in the semi and tandem axle trailer. Grain terminals are much more impersonal. Seems like we lost a big part of us when the elevators closed. Grain elevators were also a place to socialize. Only if the walls of those grain elevator offices and driveways could talk! Also heard that the Fleming grain elevator was burned by arson a while ago. Pretty sad. Drove by it a few times on the #1 Highway. It was definitely quite the icon. Nice video thanks!

[@ajknaup3530]

I also much prefer the older, wooden elevators. Something cold & impersonal about the concrete & steel.

[@shortliner68]

As a railroad enthusiast, I've become fascinated by feed mill and grain elevator operations of late, particularly with the Canadian elevators. Sad to see them being replaced by larger grain handling structures since the smaller elevators seemed to have more interesting operations from a rail perspective. Very sorry to hear about the Fleming fire. I guess Canada has more than it's fair share of vandals just like down here in the states.

[@looneymariofan]

me too. you should be my friend

[@gaugebrady5416]

What was the Fleming fire

[@gaugebrady5416]

Such a shame our past and historic buildings @re disappearing to modern places

[@davidmast7581]

Very educational video. I live in Illinois and I have always had a lot of interest in old and new Grain Elevators.

[@sasksunwolf]

Thanks for watching. I'm glad that you found it interesting.

[@walterbeech9690]

This was a really good vid, thanks for posting it! Living in Western Kansas I have seen our wood elevators all but vanish over the last 30 years. Of course we had some really small 8-12,000 bushel horse era elevators standing empty in the early 80s yet but sadly they are all gone. If I only would have had the money then I would have bought one to preserve myself.

[@walterbeech9690]

That is really tragic Steve. Here in the states we have a wood corn elevator restored and open to the public in Atlanta Il., I know they have insurance but its not like you could ever replace it with money. It would be one thing if it was an accident but arson is just horrible. I will check out your other vids, best wishes from Kansas!

[@jennifermorin1377]

Grew up Hudson Bay SK my dad helped build the Pioneer elevator and I watched them demolish it so many years later its sad

[@AlexHoffnerTheHoff]

Very informational video! Thank you so much for making. Doing research on old grain elevators and how they worked and this was an amazing resource.

[@sasksunwolf]

Thanks for watching. Glad you found the show informative. It was fun to make. The research was fascinating and we met lots of interesting people.

[@michaeldrevdahl2292]

great history and art ! thank you

[@josephpadula2283]

The amount of what was probably old growth full sized 2x6 inch boards that could be reclaimed if one Has to be torn down is amazing.

[@MarkBerg-tk8js]

Early 1960’s ran western Canada in International Transport hauling machinery , I remember well all the red elevators . Some were sold and trucked to large farms. Have a photo of a big ole auto car truck pulling one along .

[@supertrucker12916]

I work at the old Collins feed store in malone N.Y. it was built in the early 50's and its still going strong for now but with the price of milk and beef who knows what the future will hold

[@AmaryllisTV]

They are pretty amazing.

[@gtown150]

Absolutely fascinating. The fact that they use two by fours on the flat. Where did the lumber come from? Obviously shipped in but it's interesting considering how flat those areas of Canada are they are not covered in Timberland but wheatfields.

[@andrewdupuis1151]

I am glad they save some of them I like old ones better then new ones

[@BobSmith-mc7uq]

Excellent video! Hopefully, many of the elevators can be preserved.

[@pmonkeygeezer6212]

Bob Smith Hopefully these eyesores will be smashed down or burned to the ground.

[@rdkndr1]

Very nice show. Thank you

[@sasksunwolf]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate your comments. Steve

[@helenforrestal580]

My dad was a Pioneer grain buyer in Viscount, Sask. until 1956

[@jasonessery2438]

Excellent video, thank-you so much more highlighting an important part of our past - and present.

[@joshuatoro8977]

phenomenal video but I got a question what does the lady mean it's not environmentally productive to do that same old-fashioned storage of wheat today than it was back then or did I miss him understand what she was saying?

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Amazing, I love Grain Elevators!

[@sasksunwolf]

I’m am glad you enjoyed the show. I enjoyed visiting the elevators as we made it. Thanks for watching!

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

@@sasksunwolf Thank you very much for post!

[@kansascityshuffle8526]

Those hit miss engines are neat

[@sasksunwolf]

Kansa City Shuffle They are! Thanks for watching.

[@flyingawesome1708]

Lovely video. There is a grain elevator from early 1900's in my friend's yard. Do you think they are safe to make into a tiny house?

[@sasksunwolf]

Glad you liked the show. Too bad the Fleming elevator was list to fire. I know people have repurposed grain elevators but I don’t know the safety issues.

[@bradleyhouse3180]

What I wouldn't give to hoist myself up the man lift and take my station on the tripper one last time :. (

[@thepeoplesnetwork9256]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. It is sad to see the elevators disappearing especially for those who worked in them.

[@johnmcgregor3671]

George Payette is the savior of these wooden elevators in manitoba he is the only man who even after falling off the roof of one that really knows how to fix and maintain them if you talk to anyone in manitoba that works in the old wood elevators they all know his name

[@TylerJaenen]

The Fleming elevator was a victim of arson a few years ago that summer it was going to open for tourists

[@Oilerator_]

Really sucks that some oxygen thief had to go and burn down the Fleming elevator. Hope they are in jail where they belong.

[@sasksunwolf]

Oil I agree, very sad. Thanks for watching.

[@ajknaup3530]

It seems like the rail would be more efficient than trucks for hauling grain.

[@bradholstiene6728]

Steven wolfson first of great video but I didnt see any pictures of the old 6 elevators that stood in estevan for many years

[@thepeoplesnetwork9256]

Brad Holstiene I don’t remember seeing a photo of the six. Good to know about them. Thanks

[@tomnorton8218]

Thanks!

[@ptyb6195]

The grain elevators should have been protected for their heritage value. They are to Canada what the tower of Big Ben is to London. They are Canada.

[@daltonhook6783]

im so sorry about the fleming elevator

[@bradholstiene6728]

The one in mankota is own by a farmer was loading brains until last year when I switched jobs

[@MASS1866]

This Fleming elevator burnt down. I believe by arson and not sure exactly when. Sad.

[@ajknaup3530]

I also much prefer the older, wooden elevators. Something cold & impersonal about the concrete & steel.

[@AllanLoveJr]

A LOT OF THE GRAIN GET'S MOVED BY TRUCK NOW A DAYS. THE RAILROADS HAVE ABANDONED 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF RAIL LINES THAT USE TO SERVE THESE TOWNS. MAKING RAIL USELESS.

[@patrickdunfee-gx4ew]

I worked in a feed mill in Sandpoint idaho the man that owned the place when i asked him for a job said how much do you weigh and are you an idiot i got the job because i was close to what he weighed