Exploring eastern Washington grain elevators

When I decided on a theme for the PE&A I knew that I absolutely would need a grain elevator. Not a big terminal elevator like you would find at shipping ports, but a small collector elevator like those found in railroad towns along every branch line across the Palouse. As every grain elevator is so unique, this summer I started collecting photos of grains elevators that caught my eye during my travels which I could potentially use for modeling.

Part of the massive grain elevator facility at Ritzville, Wash.

Along every railroad line through the Palouse the largest structure at each railroad station or siding would typically be a wood-cribbed grain elevator, sometimes painted, other times sided with corrugated steel to protect the structure (and its contents) from the elements. These were located along the main track or a siding, depending on the branch traffic, with the railroad on one side of the building and a wagon/truck driveway on the other side along with an office. Over time, as volume of grain production increased, the original structures were expanded or separate structures were built nearby. As various structures were added at different times, different construction methods from different periods of history can be seen today at a single site.

As a result there is an incredible variety of forms and structures and it is nearly impossible to find two grain elevators that exactly match. One can find amazing beauty in these utilitarian structures.

A view of the Uniontown, Wash. facility showing many different styles of building from different eras. Rail service, when it existed, was on the far side of the building from the viewer.

In places where steel rails have been gone for decades, some elevators have been abandoned and allowed to deteriorate, while other elevators continue to operate but the grain no longer leaves town on rail. Instead, the grain is transferred by truck to a larger elevator with at a rail shipping point or a barge shipping terminal along the Snake River.

Dayton, Wash. has a huge facility. This picture shows a couple of the older elevator buildings.

Another view of Dayton, Wash. showing more modern structures, including part of the huge slip-formed concrete structure. Dayton still has active rail service; tracks are owned today by the local port authority.

I don’t yet know exactly what my grain elevator will look like, but I know I want a classic wood cribbed elevator with at least a couple of attached lean-to structures and some supplemental grain bins. Of course, there is no need for me to design the entire thing up front, as I can always add on to it over time just like a real elevator.

Enjoy the elevator pictures. This certainly isn’t a comprehensive study – just a small smaple of a few that I happened to cross paths with that were appealing to me.

This simple and classic elevator at Joel, Idaho may be a great one to model. The original building has a stepped back headhouse which I find attractive, plus there are two annexes, one an older riveted steel tank, and the other a more modern corrugated steel bin. Rail service, when it existed, was along the side of the building facing the viewer.

Davenport, Wash.

Detail view of the headhouse of an elevator in Harrington, Wash.

Reardon, Wash.

Another view at Reardon, Wash. Rail cars are being loaded just to the right of the photo.

This elevator in Colfax, Wash. had a couple of weathered lean-to structures that look like they may have been added at separate times.

The corrugated steel siding has partially peeled away from this elevator in Johnson, Wash.

Troy, Idaho.

A long series of riveted steel plate bins in Kendrick, Idaho. 

Another elevator in Kendrick, Idaho.

Palouse, Wash.

Lapwai, Idaho.

Rails to trails in Juliaetta, Idaho. This line was built by Northern Pacific and serves as a multi-purpose trail today, providing a great view of the slip-formed concrete grain elevator.

The small elevator structure near Chambers, Wash. has been abandoned and is gradually falling down, piece by piece.