The Oldest one in the State

On a recent trip to Atlanta (Illinois) We came across a fantastic old survivor.  Just a block of old Route 66 (Where else!?) is the J.H. Hawes grain elevator museum. Built in 1904 by John Hardin Hawes, this has the distinction of being the oldest surviving wooden grain elevator in the entire state and was in operation for seventy two years before finally closing in 1976. It sat empty and derelict for many years and by the late 1980's it faced destruction by being used by the local fire department as a practice burn site.

However, this was not to be its fate as a group of history minded local citizens banded together to restore the building and turn it into an agricultural museum. Through their efforts the site was listed on the national Register of Historic Places in 1991 and over the next several years a reproduction engine house was built on the original foundations discovered during the restoration. In addition, a wooden scale house originally used by the Cracker Jack co. and period correct was donated to the museum by the Stanford Grain co. and in 1999 the elevator was opened to the public.

The elevator is staffed by volunteers and open for tours on every Sunday during the summer months, June through August. from 1-3 p.m.  Private tours are available as well by calling ahead of time. There is no admission charge to get in but  donations are gladly accepted to help maintain the museum.

We live in a rich and historically significant state and you should explore it as much as possible!  My Thanks to my helper Tom Anderson who made a separate trip to take some interior photo's of the museum.