Creston Grain Elevators and Site

The History of Creston Grain Elevators

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 businessperson 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.

Condition Assessments and Focus on Conservation

Condition assessments of both elevators indicated that the red elevator was 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

Started in 2019, conservation efforts of the red elevator envelope are finished. This included activities like removing hazardous materials, stabilizing the structure, adding new roofs and lightning rods, replacing siding, a new coat of paint, and restoring and replacing doors and windows.

Deconstruction of the White Elevator

Due to immediate safety concerns, the Trust has started the deconstruction process for the white elevator, salvaging materials where possible, including valuable first-growth timbers and historic equipment. These reclaimed materials will be repurposed in future projects. Additionally, videos and photographs will document the white elevator, which will be used to create display signage.

Engagement with the Community

The Trust will work closely with the community to determine how the salvaged materials can be repurposed and to explore potential future uses for the vacant site. We are committed to engaging with residents throughout this process to ensure the essence and legacy of the white elevator are honored.

Acknowledgements

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!