'They're like little art structures': new book highlights prairie grain elevators
A new book is putting a spotlight on the structures that once defined the economy of prairie provinces.
‘Grain Elevators: Beacons of the Prairies’ is a collection of images and stories of the buildings.
“They’re like little art structures out on the prairies and they’re very colourful, so I really just enjoyed shooting them for the way they looked,” said Chris Attrell, photographer for the book.
Eighteen years in the making, the book is a collaboration between Attrell, who contributed the images, and local Manitoba author Christine Hanlon, who contributed the stories and histories of the prairie sentinels.
“It’s been 18 years of cruising down the back roads all over the prairie provinces,” said Attrell. “Most of this was done in the days before GPS phone apps when you just cruised around with a map from the gas station.”
Attrell did not know if the end result was going to be a published book. Then a publisher out of Nova Scotia contacted him and put him in contact with Hanlon.
“She had done some really good books on the history of Winnipeg so it made a perfect match with her great writing and research skills and my photography,” said Attrell.
One of Attrell’s favourite images may soon be impossible to recreate. It is a grain elevator in Elva, Man., located in the southwest corner of the province. He said it is scheduled to be demolished sometime this year.
These towering landmarks are often the only reminder of the towns that once stood beneath them. Their loss, according to Attrell, is often a precursor to the demise of the community they once served.
“As soon as they take down the grain elevator and the rail service stops, it doesn’t just change the economic pattern of the town, but it also changes it a little bit as the social fabric,” said Attrell.
Many communities have taken it upon themselves to preserve instead of destroy grain elevators. Attrell cites Plum Coulee as an example.
The elevator sits on Main Street and is open for tourists to come and see and even go inside.
When asked what people will miss most as more of these structures come down, Attrell said it is their dominant position in the prairie skyline, often serving as a waypoint for towns many miles away.
“It’s been an extraordinary fun process. I can’t imagine how many kilometres I must have put on and flat tires but worth every effort,” said Attrell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Ontario urges mpox testing amid spike in cases
Ontario health officials are urging public health units to test for mpox, the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, amid a spike of confirmed cases in the province.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Don't expect any deals:' Expert says stores may not offer steep discounts on post-Easter chocolate
Those looking to snap up cheap treats at their local grocery store next week following the Easter long weekend could be in for a bit of a surprise as the rising cost of cocoa continues to drive up the price of chocolate, one expert says.