Creston Grain Elevators and Site

The Creston grain elevators were built in 1935 and 1936. During their prime they were used to collect, store and ship locally grown wheat, barley, oats and rye. In 1971 they closed to public use and were sold to a private business person who used the premises to sell seed and feed and purchase grain from local farmers for shipment to Alberta and Vancouver.

In 2018, the Trust purchased the iconic Creston grain elevators to help preserve the region’s history and share it with future generations.

The condition assessments of both elevators indicated the red elevator is in much better shape than the white elevator. It was decided to focus the Trust’s efforts on securing, cleaning, and restoring the red elevator.

Conservation Work on the Red Elevator

Over the past 24 months, we erected scaffolding to complete the conservation of the elevator envelope by upgrading the roof structure and applying new cedar shingles. Once the roof was completed the next phase involved installing and painting new siding with fire resistant paint and repairing the doors and windows.

We are now focusing on completing landscaping and improving the parking area, as well as considering next steps for both elevators.

These conservation efforts were generously supported with funding from the Trust, Canada Community Revitalization Fund through PacificCan, federal funding from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Heritage BC, Town of Creston and Regional District of Central Kootenay.

We appreciate the contributions of all funding partners who helped us undertake the conservation work at the red elevator. Thank you!