I love grain elevators my dad was the manager at
Penhold.
when I saw it go it felt like they ripped a me apart. Ever since that
day I have been collecting photos of the giants(207 photos). I wish you
had better photos of Penhold for my dad to see. I love this web site.
~ Nathan Speelman, Innisfail, AB
I grew up 1 block away from the UGG Elevator in
Trochu,
I spent many summer afternoons around all the elevators and watched
the guys load the hopper cars. Over the years Trochu lost some
of it's 5 elevators, first the Federal, Then the Cargill, followed by
the Pioneer. Now only the AWP and UGG remain, the biggest loss
in my opinion are the loss of Huxley and Torrington's elevator rows.
Wonderful site, it has brought back many memories to a homesick
prairie kid living in lighthouse country.
~ Paul O'Neil, Moncton, NB
This is a great collection of good photos. I'm
trying to make a book like this. I love elevators This is
a tribute to the early pioneers of industry.
~ Matthew Tolton, Carberry, MB
Over the last two years they finally ripped out the last
3 pieces of history that was foolishly demolished. I am sad to
see the loss of the elevators in my town and many other small
towns. They are tearing down the prairies, small towns are
dying. If not in money, but at least in soul.
~ Adam, Maidstone, SK
It frustrates me to see these prairie icons
disappear. Half of these elevators are still perfectly
operational and should still be used, but these grain companies are to
blinded by the greed of "progress and profit". Their greed
for money is killing our small towns, and destroying our highways due
to ugly concrete elevators. I have a strong passion for the wooden
elevators, they are the fist memory of my childhood that I can
remember. Those large companies may be able to destroy them in our
communities, but they will never take them away from our hearts and
from this web site!!!! Keep up the good work!
~ Brett Tollefson, Whitewood, SK
I have a question you may be able to answer. A recent CBC arts report, perhaps in the last 2 weeks today being
June 5, spoke about the demise of grain elevators and the link with
the prairie trains. There is a traveling exhibit that has been
organized and it will go to various towns across Canada, in particular
Manitoba and Ontario. Would you have any information about
this?
~ Debra, Ottawa, ON
I surfed in from Shane Stewart's site. I
appreciate your efforts. The old elevators don't look much if
any, different from the ones in west Texas and the panhandle. I
am originally from a mining town in Colorado, and it is losing its
heritage since the EPA is "cleaning" up the old mining
sites. Nothing lasts, but thankfully there are pictures and
memories and the internet. Thank you.
~ Con Sweet, Austin, Texas
I am in a grade 5 class and we have just won a book
contest.
Our book is about the grain elevators disappearing. I thought at the
start that it was going to be boring but as I got into it I found it
more and more interesting. I have some relatives that have an elevator on their property and
I told them some things that I learned that the did not know. Our
teacher Mrs. Burden has already written to you but I wanted to tell
you from a kid's eye view. Our class, the grade 5's did not believe
Mrs. Burden when she told us we had won, we were on the school bus to
go to swimming lessons as a class and we were yelling all the way
there, we were so happy. And now we are published authors and can't
wait to get that money to the school (we won $1000.00)
and to get our books!!!!!!!!!!
~ Tianna, Hardisty, AB
A superb site - really impressive. Very
informative and lovely photographs. You clearly care
passionately for these wonderful Prairie landmarks. Although we
are 6,000 miles away, it is a privilege to feel we can share part of
your heritage.
~ Stephen and Jane, Dorset, England
The elevators represented the visual "soul" of
prairie towns. I can't help but wonder what effect it has on the
soul of the area residents when one of the icons are removed. Loved your site and yes, I do love the grain elevators.
Looking forward for your next series.
~ Neil, Innisfail, AB
I just wanted to say that this is a beautiful
tribute. My father had managed grain elevators for over 35
years. It is a part of me and always will be. I remember
seeing an elevator in Innisfree go down, and it is something that will
never forget. Thank you for sharing this with others, it may not
seem like much to some people, but it means a lot to a few.
Thank you.
~ Melanie, originally Innisfree, AB
I am so glad some people had the foresight to take all
of these pictures. I am presently building small miniature grain
elevators. they are 36 inches high. If there is a Elnora
reunion in 2003 I hope some one is there with calendars and picture
books similar to Endangered Species, Mini Series One, which I have.
~ Lyndon, Barnes, Husley, AB
Dear Marjory Vincent
Thank you for your kind words and to answer your question I will
direct you to the Series One page of my website. Both Ardley and
Lousana are in the booklet and there is a picture of Ardley shown on
the slideshow. I would never forget them as they were an
important historical part of our area. Thank you for your comments.
~ Lynda Swanson, Elnora AB
Enjoyed the site and appreciate the time you have spent
but do have a question. On the list of Alberta Grain Elevators, Ardley
and Lousana were not listed and am wondering why? My family has lived
in the Ardley area for years and a brother was the agent at the U.G.G.
there for some time and another brothers in-laws purchased the Lousana
elevator and had it moved to their farm just east of Lousana. Looking
forward to #4. Thank you.
~ Marjory Vincent, Red Deer, AB
Thank you for this wonderful site. It is such a
shame that these historical buildings will disappear and our
grandchildren will never know anything about the elevators. Job
well done!!
~ Nancy Yamniuk, Red Deer, AB
You've done a wonderful job Lynda. Thank you for
taking the time to create this site. You've preserved what we've
all grown up with on the prairies and sadly miss every time we go back
and visit our home town and look for that missing "welcome
sign" on the horizon.
~ Norma (Gripp) Brown, Slave Lake, AB
These are beautiful pictures, and I'm glad someone has
taken the time to record these buildings. You are so right, they
are truly the 'sentinels of the prairies'.
~ Gail Adam, Penticton, BC
I'm a prairie boy so elevators are part of my growth. It
is a shame to see them disappearing so quickly. The ones here in
Innisfail and Bowden were gone in a blink of an eye. It's reassuring
to know there are people like you who are taking the time to create a
permanent record of our past. At least the elevators in Niobe and
Kuusamo will be around for awhile.
~ Bill & Eva Crist, Innisfail, AB
Yes!!! You are doing a Wonderful Job Preserving the Past
History for the Elder Folk!!! Hope the Younger Generation will Treasure
these Long Hours Of History Preserved, after our days are gone by!!!!
Carry ON!!!!!
~ Grace & Dick Edmonson, Elnora, AB
Hi Linda,
Great site, now I know why we haven't heard from you lately.
Looking forward to seeing Series Four.
~ Ron Brand, Red Deer, AB
Excellent site, glad congratulations!
See if maybe you can add some towns from Saskatchewan in here
maybe people could send you their photo's of towns in Saskatchewan
as well.
~ Garry, Regina, SK
Karla is right, this is a great site. Locally we
have lost several of our old landmarks. "Economics"
truly are truly changing out way of life and this site will allow
tomorrows children to view yesterday. Perhaps you could add some Saskatchewan sites.
~ Geraldine, Kelvington, SK
Yes we have a comment, Mom says to say how much she
loves seeing all the work you have done on this page. She is
very impressed. We are all very proud of you. It is
quite an accomplishment.
~ Dave & Sam & Mom
What a great site! I'm so looking forward to
seeing it in its completed state!
~ Karla, Archerwill, SK
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