Elias Landmark Elevator Will Move to Pembina Threshermen’s Museum Feb 17 and 18

 

 

I received some interesting information that I want to share here. George G. Elias, of Winkler, Manitoba, more specifically, Hasket, 12 miles south of Winkler, often better known as Barley King for his endeavours in the seed trade business and winning several prestigious awards had someone build the  Elias Seed Farm Elevator (Cleaning Plant) which stood 3 miles west of Highway 32 on PTH 243 since 1944. 

 

George passed away in 2012, but a daughter of the late Mr. Elias, Sylvia by telephone and later by email shared with me how  this elevator will soon have a new home.

“The Elias Seed Farm elevator (Cleaning Plant) will soon be moved to its new location at the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum, just west of Winkler and / or north of Morden. Following his death in 2012, several  of the children of Elias reached an agreement with the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum to take ownership of the elevator and help preserve this landmark,” write sisters Sylvia and Shirley.  “While it saddens us to see it move from this location, we are so pleased to see others share and enjoy its history and architecture at the Museum for many years to come. We thank the Museum and Bill Reimer for spearheading this major project and thank many others who helped make this historic event possible through the donation of their time and financial contributions. Without all of you this would not be possible.”

With B B Wiebe & Sons Limited of Winkler doing the moving, the two Elias sisters paying the moving costs, and the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum paying the $15,000 in Manitoba Hydro costs, and $15,000 for the foundation, weather permitting the Elias Seed Farm Elevator will move on Feb 17 and 18. 

 

The plan for Cleaning Plant “B” was prepared expressly for Elias Seed Farm by P Janzen, Radium Hot Springs BC, March 14, 1943. Construction took place through 1944 at the site located 3 miles west of Highway 32 on PTH 243. 

George G. Elias used the the seed cleaning plant at Elias Seed Farm in its production and seed cleaning between the mid 1940’s and into the early 21st century for sale of registered seed throughout North America and into the European markets. 

An honour to say the least, George received the top prize in the carlot National Barley Contest, in 1946 and again in 1950. The carlot entry which won the championship of Canada in 1946 was sold for export to Albania through U.N.R.R.A and brought $2,500.00 (Canadian Grain Journal, 1946). Not only did the sample go through the standard cleaning process in the plant, but rumour has it  that the Elias family hand-picked the best of the best. The quality of grain produced at Elias Seed Farm set the standard for many years.

It is with interest that I write this column because when I look at the pictures of some of the history of that grain elevator and how it served the Elias Seed Farm and the surrounding farming community, and now find a resting play at the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum,it warms my heart. 

According to a conversation I had with Bill Reimer the, a v-p with the PTM, it took some doing to put this deal together. Some patience, persistence, and down right caring for an industry that keeps serving this area well. 

One other thing comes to mind, it also reminds me that many families often don’t bother to think about saving, and or establishing legacies of what their parent or parents did to further and improve the life we all enjoy. Most often the concern is more about the short term and dispersing of the estate as quickly as possible.

Kudos to the Elias Family and the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum for this worthwhile project and having the foresight to   make it happen. 

As I understand it, the planned  move will take place on Feb. 17 and 18, spending the first day getting it off the yard and onto the road. The next day, the move will take the elevator to it is final destination.