Nanton grain elevator rich in history, activities to take in
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Nanton is fortunate to still have a few of its elevators, when so many small towns have lost theirs. Vulcan’s last wood grain elevator was demolished this past April. It was a 1984 replacement of the original elevator on that site, which was one of Vulcan’s famous Nine In A Line. Cool videos of the demolition can be found by Googling “Vulcan grain elevator.”
Two elevators, or three?
Our teal elevators are sort of conjoined twins; one built in 1927 and the other salvaged from Strangmuir and attached in 1936. Twinned elevators were quite rare. The grey structure to the south of our orange elevator is a seed cleaning plant, and not a grain elevator.
Why orange?
Originally, most elevators were “CPR Red,” but were repainted with distinctive company colours in the 1960s. Teal was the colour chosen by Alberta Wheat Pool. Pioneer chose orange and yellow, allegedly from the colourful pants worn by a Pioneer official’s wife on a family outing. Ah, the ‘60s!
New rail car arrives
Restoring grain elevators is a slow process. But sometimes you have to move quickly when an opportunity arises. The chance to preserve a 1970s-era distinctly Canadian grain rail car, which are being phased out in favour of a newer design, meant moving relatively quickly to acquire one survivor for our Rail Lands exhibit area. The thing had to be moved by truck, as Nanton no longer has railway tracks. In May, the grain car joined the vintage cattle car already on site here.
Visiting hours
Through the winter, interior tours are by emailed appointment only, but from May 15 through September you can just drop by the elevator office Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access is off the gravelled 19th Avenue, one block east of the northbound highway lanes. A guide will show you through the accessible parts of the elevator and explain how it operated. This family-friendly tour (sorry, no pets) is by donation.
Souvenirs and merchandise
Our famous hoodies and t-shirts, featuring a colourful image of our elevators, along with keychains, buttons, and other bits, are available at the elevator gift shop (summer only) and at local shops Because I Said So and Tap Town Books. Items may also be purchased through our website.
We need your support – join us!
Volunteers of all types are most welcome. Whether you can wield a broom, organize a fundraiser, help with an event, or manage a project, your skills and enthusiasm are most urgently needed and wanted!
Summer events at the elevators
• July 19 – Grease outdoor movie screening with $10 admission. Please visit www.showpass.com/greasenantonelevators/. Bring your lawn chair!
• Aug. 2 – Opening of our Rail Lands outdoor exhibit area. The Last Spike ceremony is on Saturday during Nanton Roundup Days.
• Aug. 13 – The Morgan Toney Trio, Juno- nominated Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer will perform. For more information please visit www.morgantoneymusic.com/. Tickets are $30, available at www.showpass.com/mtoneynantonelevators.
Information on upcoming events and more is available at www.facebook.com/nantonelevators (which also has some awesome photos!).
There’s also a lot of information on our websiteatwww.nantongrainelevators.com.
If you have a specific question or comment, email us at info@nantongrainelevators.com.
Did you know…
• The grain railway car presently at the elevators was one of 13,000 built for the Canadian Wheat Board, with financial assistance from the federal government and the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan?
• The covered cylindrical hopper design was uniquely Canadian?
• About 2,500 of these grain cars were made of aluminum rather than steel, for use on lighter-gauge rail lines?
• One of the Alberta-financed cars, painted in Heritage Trust Fund blue, bore the name of Nanton on its side?
• Prior to the 1970s, Canadian grain was hauled in ordinary railway boxcars?
‘Signs’ of Progress at the Elevators
Yes, there is new signage at the Discovery Centre! Informational and directional signs were erected in June, and they look great.