Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inglis elevator row |
|
|---|---|
Inglis elevators, located on the southeast edge of the village.
|
|
| Type | Grain elevator row |
| Location | Village of Inglis, Manitoba, Canada |
| Nearest city | Shelmouth-Boulton |
| Built | 1922–1941 |
| Architectural style(s) | Wood-crib elevators, industrial |
| Governing body | Village of Inglis-Town Council |
| Website | Inglis Grain Elevators |
| Designated | 1996 |
The Inglis elevator row is a special group of five wooden buildings called grain elevators. They stand tall next to an old railway track in a small village called Inglis, in Manitoba, Canada. These elevators are super important because most old wooden grain elevators in Western Canada have been torn down. The Inglis elevators are the last complete row left in Canada! They show us what "the golden age of grain" looked like. Because they are so unique, they have been fully fixed up and are now a protected National Historic Site of Canada.
The Story of the Inglis Elevators
When the railroad came to small towns in Manitoba, it brought big changes. For Inglis, the railroad arrived in 1922. This meant farmers could send their grain to faraway markets. Because of this, a nearby town called Asessippi was quickly left empty.
By the end of 1922, four of the five elevators in Inglis were already built. Soon after, many shops and businesses opened in the village. The Inglis row has five wooden elevators, each with its own history:
Meet the Five Prairie Giants
- N. M. Paterson Company elevator: This elevator was built in 1922. It had modern systems to control dust, which was very important for safety.
- Reliance elevators: These were first built by Matheson-Lindsay in 1922 as one elevator. Later, Province Elevator Co. took it over. In the 1930s, it became Reliance Elevators. By 1941, a new "twin" elevator was added to give more space. Manitoba Pool bought them in 1952. Then, United Grain Growers bought them in 1971. Today, these elevators have been restored to look just like the original Reliance elevators.
- United Grain Growers elevator: This elevator was first built by United Grain Growers in 1922. But it was destroyed by fire in 1925. A new one was built to replace it. Extra storage buildings, called annexes, were added in 1949.
- National elevator: The Northern Elevator Co. built this one in 1922. Later, National took it over in the 1940s. Then, Cargill owned it. Finally, Paterson Grain bought it in 1979. This elevator has been completely restored and now serves as a gift shop for visitors.
Many wooden grain elevators across Western Canada have disappeared. Because of this, the "Five Prairie Giants" of Inglis have become a popular place for tourists to visit. They were even named one of Manitoba's top ten amazing buildings.
See also
