A special piece of history

By Brandie Majeau

              The Radway & Area Historical Archives Association (RAHAA) was established in 1989.  A group of volunteers works endlessly to preserve the history and heritage of a small rural town.  What ultimately began as a project to process material for a community history book soon became a passion to preserve as much history as they could.  Mementos began to arrive as members of the community offered their pieces of not only Radway’s history but that of Western Canada as well.  Morgan Johnstone currently oversees the archiving and organizing of the acquired collectables.  She is responsible for the beautiful displays that can be seen at the Radway Agricultural Centre.  RAHAA also boasts an extensive collection of historical farming equipment, including a tractor from 1929, and an International pickup truck from 1928.  The truck is still in running condition and can still be seen at events and parades.

              In 1996, RAHAA acquired a very special piece of Canadian history.  The iconic building is the Krause Milling Co. grain elevator and mill site.  The elevator was originally built in 1928, and the flour mill (no longer standing) was built in 1929.  As Ernie Halun led a small tour through the building, he pointed out all the unique features of the elevator, many of which are still in working condition.  The group not only received a crash course in the history of Western Canada but also witnessed how augers were manually positioned for grain to flow into the appropriate bins, the still-working condition of a hand-powered (pull rope) elevator and the unique construction of how it was built.  They were also invited to explore the small living quarters where the original family of four resided, the elevator office and the room that housed the diesel engine that powered the entire operation.

              At the peak of grain elevators in the 1930s, Alberta boasted over 1700 wooden elevators; now there are approximately 120 left.  Halun mentioned that only a handful of those are historical and are being preserved.  Every year, we lose at least one grain elevator.  Due to the flammable nature of grain dust and old wood, these buildings will quickly succumb to a fire.  Halun continued to explain that the preservation of such sites is a labour of love.  While they are amazing to see and experience, they come with a lot of headaches.  Sites such as these are often the target of vandalism and theft.  While people encourage the area to be fenced, Halun maintained that that is not what they want.  When the area is left open, it welcomes people to stop, walk around, and take in what was once a bustling hub in a thriving and progressive community.  Couples have even used the space as a backdrop for wedding photos.

              The Radway & Area Historical Archives Association is currently cataloguing and organizing a massive amount of donations.  Their goal is to create a living museum in the Radway grain elevator and attached living quarters.  They have acquired display cases and memorabilia, trying to maintain the theme of living in the 1930s, when the grain elevator would have functioned at its peak.  Guests will be invited to walk through and absorb what it must have been like.  Even in its current standing, RAHAA has opened the elevator doors to guests from around the world.  Western Canada was unique in the design of agricultural amenities that popped up along the Canadian Pacific Railway in an effort to connect communities and provinces.

              These elevators are a symbol of Western Canada.  When they are gone, how many people will be left to remember them?  Who will tell the stories of their importance and historical impact?  Faded photos shown in history textbooks will not leave the same mark as seeing a full-standing structure in all its original glory.  However, the price is steep.  The last time the Krause Milling Co. elevator needed to be painted, the cost was $180,000.  For these sites to be maintained, it takes support from those who wish for them to remain.  Monetary donations and historical items are always welcome, but it also requires physical commitment and time from members of the community. Indicating the boxes piled with historical memories, Halun commented, “My back isn’t what it used to be. Most of us are getting old.  We need new volunteers to step in to take our places.”