Welcome to the Grain Elevator History Project

The Grain Elevator History Project is a project of Just Group which is owned and operated by Trevor Esau. To see more about Just Group go to www.justgroup.ca

Contact Trevor at justcdgroup@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

We are fascinated by grain elevators. We are struck by their beauty. The colourful landmarks are the subject of paintings, photographs, and pictorial books. The hamlets, villages and towns were defined, in part, by their elevators. We searched for them on the horizon as we drove to each community. The names of the community were clearly visible on the sides of the elevator. They were a distant sign that we were close to home. More than that, grain elevators are part of our own experiences of Canadian culture.

The rise of the country elevator was a strong icon for the strength of rural life in Canada and their destruction a symbol for its weakening. In 1934, the number of grain elevators in Alberta peaked at 1,781. Today there are less then 130 standing and few used by the grain trade. Those left are run down.

We are also telling the inside and hidden histories of the grain elevator through first hand accounts. We invite people to tell us their stories by e-mail. The stories submitted appear in the personal experience page.


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Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Elevator Was Alive With Animal Life

The country elevators was alive with abundant animal life. Birds were always plentiful due to the constant food source of spilt grain and the abundance of mice. Elevators also provided a sanctuary and lofty perches. Pigeons (Rock Doves), horned larks, crows, magpies, many species of sparrows, owls, hawks, and bats, mice, cats, and skunks were common inhabitors. Occasionally, fox, coyotes and lynx would be seen close by.
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