Here are pictures from the destruction of the Girouxville Alberta United Grain Growers (UGG) elevator. This was done between 1993 and 1995. I cannot set the exact date, because I am not sure when it was. I was much younger.
In the early 1990’s, large grain companies such as Archer Daniel, UGG, Cargill, etc…took an executive decision to move their grain handling systems into World Class Grain Terminals. (The big cement monsters) These corporation got the idea that the smaller wooden grain elevators were ancient and did not find the value in renovating the vast amounts of these structures. There are also large tax concerns that were brought forth. Thus, small towns slowly lost their elevators, which were often used as landmarks. For my part, I would have liked to see these small town elevators remain in communities. They created ease of transportation for producers and…well I will not bore you with the evolution of grain marketing in Alberta and the influences it had on rural development.
Anyhow, the demolition preparations for this particular building took nearly a week. Surveyors and contractors gathered needed data and next thing we knew…Girouxville is a small town (and may continue to shrink etc…) Logistics for the demolition of this structure would be simple enough. And so, on a very cold Saturday morning, the wrecking crew started its work and tore down the elevator. It took about 4 hours to fall the building (the annex first, then the main elevator) and clean up took a little more than a year, maybe longer. The dust that came from the decent and impact on the ground was pretty impressive. A couple houses were covered with dust!!!
So check out theses pictures and see history in the making.
