Montana Elevator Co. facts for kids
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| Industry | Agriculture |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1904 |
| Headquarters | Montana, United States |
| Products | Grain buying |
The Montana Elevator Co. was a special kind of business that helped farmers in Montana sell their wheat. It started way back in 1904. Imagine a group of farmers working together to get a fair price for their crops – that's what a 'co-operative' is!
What Was the Montana Elevator Company?
The Montana Elevator Co. was founded in 1904. It was set up as a farmer co-operative. This means that farmers owned and ran the company together. Their main goal was to help each other. They wanted to get the best prices for their wheat. This way, individual farmers did not have to sell their crops alone.
The company's first grain elevator was built in Lewistown, Montana. This happened in the same year the company started, 1904. Grain elevators are tall buildings. They are used to store large amounts of grain. They also help load grain onto trains or trucks.
How Did Grain Elevators Help Farmers?
Grain elevators were very important for farmers. After harvesting their wheat, farmers needed a place to store it safely. These elevators kept the grain dry and protected. They also allowed farmers to sell their crops in larger amounts. This often led to better prices.
The elevators also made it easier to transport grain. Trains could pull right up to the elevator. The grain would then be loaded directly into train cars. This system helped Montana's agriculture grow. It connected farmers to markets far away.
The Company's History and Legacy
The Montana Elevator Co. played a big part in Montana's farming history. It helped many wheat farmers for years. Over time, farming methods changed. New companies and technologies came along. Because of these changes, the Montana Elevator Co. eventually stopped operating.
Today, you can still see some of their old elevators. They are scattered across Montana. Most of them are no longer used. They stand as reminders of a time when farmers worked together. They show how important co-operatives were for the state's economy. These old buildings are like monuments to Montana's agricultural past.
