Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Pool Grain Elevator / Private Grain Elevator (Clearwater, Municipality of Louise)

Link to:
Agents / Buyers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

In July 1930, lightning struck the two-year-old Manitoba Pool elevator at Clearwater, on the CPR Napinka Subdivision in the Municipality of Louise, destroying it along with 25,000 bushels of grain. A replacement with the same 40,000-bushel capacity was built in just over a month. Expanded with a temporary annex in 1951, a permanent addition came in 1969 with the construction of a crib annex on its east side, increasing the total capacity to 124,500 bushels. Closed by Agricore in October 2000, it was sold into private ownership and remains in use for local grain storage.

Agents / Buyers

Period	Agent / Buyer
1928-1932	J. A. McLean
1932-1951	John Mervin “Jack” Howatt (1907-2005)
1951-1956	Thomas Gordon Pickering (1919-1997)
1956-1979	W. T. L. “Vern” McBrien (1930-2012)
1979-1980	Brent McBrien
1980-1981	Wayne Brugger
1980-1987	L. C. ”Dick” Myers
1987-1988	Bevan Mayert
1988-1989	Jack Crompton
1989-1990	Barry Semple
1990-1991	Keith Saunders
1991-1998	Kendall Maxwell
1998-2000	?

Photos & Coordinates

Aerial view of grain elevators at Clearwater (1988) Source: Manitoba Pool Fonds, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University Construction of crib annex beside Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Clearwater (August 1969) by Earl Gordon Johnston Source: Shelley Johnston-Frith Former Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Clearwater (August 2014) Source: Jean McManus Former Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Clearwater (August 2016) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Aerial view of the former Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Clearwater (September 2020) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.13269, W99.03949 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Federal Grain Elevator (Clearwater, Municipality of Louise)

Sources:

“News in brief,” Brandon Sun, 9 July 1930, page 1.

“News in brief,” Brandon Sun, 15 August 1930, page 1.

Manitoba Pool Fonds, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University.

Obituary [Thomas Gordon Pickering], Winnipeg Free Press, 14 April 1997, page 14.

“Agricore elevators in Baldur and Pilot Mound close November 30th,” Baldur Gazette News, 7 November 2000, page 1.

We thank Jean McManus, George Penner, and Shelley Johnston-Frith for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 9 October 2022

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!