by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator
At one time a grain elevator, along with the train depot, was an important part of a town.
Hesston, Ks, 1920. View of Missouri Pacific Depot, railroad tracks and grain elevator.
Located near railroad tracks, elevators stored the grain brought in by area farmers.
Zimmerdale, Ks.
The tall wood structure is often the only remaining building of a town long gone.
Zimmerdale Grain Elevator, ca. 2000 prior to demolition.
C.C. Isley Lumber Co., Grain, Coal, Feed, 1910. Location unknown.
Burrton, Ks, 1920. Grain Elevator in the distance.
Hensley Oil & Feed Elevator, Burrton, Ks.
At the turn of the century, many of the wood structures were replaced with concrete silos with more storage capacity and less susceptible to fire.
Farmers Co-op Elevator, Halstead, Ks, 2002.
Today, the grain elevator, once a common part of the rural Kansas landscape, is disappearing.
Continental Grain Co., location unknown, n.d.