Historic Sites of Manitoba: United Grain Growers Grain Elevator / Private Grain Elevator (McCreary, Municipality of McCreary)

Link to:
Agents / Buyers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

The first United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary, on the CNR Gladstone Subdivision in what is now the Municipality of McCreary, with a 30,000-bushel capacity, opened in 1917. Two balloon annexes were added to its east side, next to the driveway, around 1951 and its capacity rose to 85,000 bushels. Around 1961, one of the balloon annexes was moved to the south side and enlarged. In 1977, the old elevator was converted into an annex and a new elevator was built beside it. An opening ceremony, attended by UGG President Mac Runciman, occurred on 20 July 1977. The original elevator and its balloon annex were demolished around 1981. Steel tanks on the south and north sides were added around 1995, increasing the total capacity to 141,000 bushels. Closed in 2001, the elevator was sold into private ownership. At the time of a 2017 visit, the elevator appeared unused, with trees encroaching on its driveshed.

Agents / Buyers

Period	Agent / Buyer
1917-1918	A. D. Nicholson
1919-1930	F. G. Dyer
1930-1959	L. Percy Baker (1889-1975)
1959-1962	O. E. Hewitt
1962-1965	Ken J. Armstrong
1965-1985	Don R. Glover

Photos & Coordinates

United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (1961) Source: Agricore United Engineering Department, Tom Price (Mgr), provided by Glenn Dickson (University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections) United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (1981) Source: Agricore United Engineering Department, Tom Price (Mgr), provided by Glenn Dickson (University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections) The former United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary, behind the train station now used as a community museum (July 2015) Source: Jean McManus The former United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (October 2017) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Aerial view of the former United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (August 2020) Source: George Penner Former United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (September 2024) Source: Jean McManus Former United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (September 2024) Source: Jean McManus Former United Grain Growers elevator at McCreary (September 2024) Source: Jean McManus Site Coordinates (lat/long): N50.77369, W99.48933 denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

“Official opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the new U.G.G. elevator at McCreary, Man.,” Dauphin Herald, 13 July 1977, page 4.

United Grain Growers Fonds, MSS76, Box 59, University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

We thank Pam Little, Jean McManus, and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 30 December 2024

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