The elevator was usually run by a single elevator agent, also known as a grain buyer. Even if a grain company had more than one elevator in the community there was usually just one agent “stationed” in that community for each grain company. Occasionally the agent hired a helper, known as a “Second Man”.
Many agents preferred to do the work themself. Almost all employees in the elevator industry were men. The agent was supervised by a District Superintendant who was responsible for all the elevators in their district. Everyone else in the company as “big shots” from “head office”. They were distinguished by their suits and often looked down upon for lack of manual labor.
This grain elevator history site is dedicated to the grain elevator, the elevator agent, and understanding their roles in the community. We will document this by posting pictures, artifacts, documents, information, links, stories, first-hand accounts and videos.
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.
Disclaimer
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.
Disclaimer
This Elevator History Project is Dedicated to Wilf Esau- Grain Buyer
Wilf at his elevator in McLaughlin, Ab
Pages
©Just Group 2008 - 2016
