By Kermith W. Anderson
Scandia was settled by people from the States of Nebraska, the Dakotas, Idaho, Minnesota, Washington and other American states in 1918, 1919, and 1920.
The land was developed by the C.P.R. for irrigation as this area was part of the Palliser Triangle. This vast tract of land in part of Alberta and Saskatchewan is considered very dry for agriculture.
After the Trans Canada railway was completed in the late 1880s, they needed freight and passengers to make it pay. They sent out land agents to Europe, eastern Canada and the United States to promote immigrants to settle the land.
One of the many promises (of the C.P.R.) was to build a spur line from the main line near Brooks to Scandia a distance of about 25 miles, but the farmers request wasn't heard in Montreal until 1927. Prior to the C.P.R. construction, farmers with their horses and wagons were forced to go to Brooks or Cassils to deliver their produce, a two-day trip. An alternative was to cross the Bow River to Vauxhall or Retlaw, a one day trip, providing the ice on the river was safe or the small ferry was operating.
The Alberta Wheat Pool built an elevator in the summer of 1927 to be ready for the fall harvest. It is the conventional style building commonly found on the prairies with a capacity of 35,000 bushels. Powered by the typical one cylinder, 20 HP gas engine, a very bulky unit to operate and maintain. Many years later, a 4 or 6 cylinder took its place.
The first agent's name was Sam Laurie assisted by G.A. Anderson, who later became the agent as Mr. Laurie was transferred to a different point. Mr. Anderson held this position until he was transferred to Brooks in 1942. Many other men and their families came and went all contributing to the life of the small community.
Many interesting stories can be told about the great wooden giant. The office was a gathering place for farmers (though not very large) as a social and business centre, comparing crop reports and weather. There weren't even electric lights on hand to do the required book work. So the kerosene lanterns were used to lighten the office hours. The running of the one cylinder engine provided heat and a small coal heater in the basement provided the most welcome heat on a cold winter day.
The elevator scales were employed to weigh market lambs that would be later loaded on a railway stock car from a nearby loading facility. Loads of hay and grain were weighed as well. Some agents even offered coal and cord wood for sale.
To ease the large fall delivery of grain, an annex was built in 1940 but later dismantled as the need was not apparent. Some of the salvaged wood was used in the museum's first buildings which houses many artifacts of bygone years.
As the highways improved and advancement of motor trucks and more specialized crops growing, the small country elevators became inefficient to operate. So a decision was made by either the railroad or the grain company to cease operation. The last train ran in 1976 and shortly after the rails, the rail bed was dismantled.
The land which the C.P.R. owned at the Scandia town site consisted of roughly 22 acres, and title transferred to a provincial agency namely Forest and Lands and was leased to the Eastern Irrigation Historical Park and Museum for 25 years,
The maintenance of the elevator structure is an ongoing expense. Fifteen years ago, new shingles were installed and a new paint job. One year ago, it was again painted and remains non functional.
Alberta Grain Elevator Society is a group that banded together to have a common voice in the preservation of these historical sites which are fast disappearing on our horizons. Also this group is setting up a committee to look into the possibility of installing sprinkler systems in all historical elevators.
Because of the loss of many country elevators, comments about the “Giant Mammoth” and their loss to communities and country are heard from visitors when visiting our museum. But maintaining these structures is not without considerable costs to the local societies, who undertake to keep these large structures respectable and safe, so future generations may continue to see them.
We were able to negotiate with the Alberta Wheat Pool a nominal sum for the elevator and a lease with Forest and Lands.
A letter was received in November 1994 confirming that it was designated a Registered Historic Resource by the province. Sometime later, a round green plaque was received and is attached to one of the main big sliding doors that welcomed the patrons for so many years.
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