Russell, MN: Wood Grain Elevators, One Burned

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Street View, Aug 2023

Street View, Aug 2013

Wesley Peters posted three photos with the comment:

Russell, Lyon County, MN.

West Complex (Left)- Farmers Union Elevator Co. Headhouse built in 1931. Annex built before 1940 (exact year unknown).

East Complex (right). Early owner unknown. Square top annex built in 1956. Destroyed by fire on November 10, 2024.

Note- the west complex was not destroyed by the fire that occurred earlier today.

Until today, this was one of two surviving square top annexes left in the state. Now the last surviving annex of this type is located at Huntley, Faribault County.

Photographed on 8/26/2024.

Photos courtesy of Wesley Peters.

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Wesley Peters posted

Sad Update from Russell, Lyon County, MN.

The square top annex just east of the former Farmers Union Elevator Co. was destroyed by fire earlier today. No cause to the fire has been determined. The Farmers Union Elevator Co. complex to the west was not harmed as far as I am aware.

Built in 1956. This was one of just two surviving square top annexes left in the state. Now the last surviving annex of this type is located at Huntley, Faribault County.

I am very happy I stopped and documented the elevators at Russell when I had the chance.

Photographed on 8/26/2024.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Peters

Bob Summers: What you are calling a “square top annex” looks to me like it is actually a second elevator with the upper part being the “head house” where the head of the leg (vertical grain conveyor) and distributor are located. In any case, always hate to see the demise of old timer grain elevators.

Justin Beck: Bob Summers this is correct. It’s not an annex, it’s a separate elevator. Appleton had a similar setup, but those are now gone too.

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