In this astonishing collection of photographs and drawings, Lisa Mahar-Keplinger documents on of the most American of building types: the grain elevator, revealing them as symbols of the American collective unconscious. Winner of an AIA Book Award, Grain Elevators is a companion volume to Wood Burners.

The first full-length history of the American grain elevator, from 1843 to 1943. Eight black and white illustrations, appendix, index, bibliography.

Rising above the landscape, the grain elevator heralds a time when wheat was king across the West. At their zenith, 5,758 of these prairie giants defined the economy and skyline of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. While many still stand, every year their numbers dwindle. Sometimes these towering signposts are all that is left of a town or hamlet once built around them. In this stunning photo collection, award-winning photographer Chris Attrell captures the haunting presence of those that remain to stand guard over an ever-changing agrarian lifestyle.

In the past, the ""elevator"" was an even more important part of farm life than it is today. It was a place where the farmer could sell his crops and buy just about everything he needed to produce them. It usually included a mill that produced animal feed, and in the more distant past often also produced flour. A Gallery of Michigan Grain Elevators and Mills provides a look at both the variety of mills and elevators serving Michigan Farmers today and those that served rural communities in the past. Many of the photos are very recent, while others dating back to the 1960's and 70's are a record of structures long gone. Historical and technical details are provided wherever they are available. It is our hope that the reader will find this look at Michigan's rich variety of mills and elevators past and present both informative and enjoyable.

Introduction. pp. 1.