Link to:
Agents / Buyers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
A 30,000-bushel wooden grain elevator at the Smart siding (named for railway official Valentine I. Smart), on the CNR Rivers Subdivision in the Rural Municipality of Elton, was constructed in 1933 by the Northern Elevator Company. Following a corporate merger, it became a National Grain elevator in 1940. The elevator was destroyed by fire on 14 July 1962.
In August 1964, Manitoba Pool Elevators moved the “B” elevator from Forrest (built in 1928) to the former site of the National elevator. The facility had a six-car spot and a crib annex was constructed beside it in 1968. Closed in December 2000, the elevator and annex were demolished in 2002.
Period
Agent / Buyer
1933-1958
George William Boast (1892-1970)
1958-1961
John Robert “Jack” Belcher (1920-2009)
1961-1962
K. C. Underhill
Period
Agent / Buyer
1964-1969
Jack A. Anderson
1969-1970
Richard L. Negrych
1970-1979
Harold E. Brown
1979-1982
Lloyd Henry Hackman (1922-1991)
1982-2000
James “Jim” Robertson
Aerial view of the Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Smart Siding (1991)
Source: Manitoba Pool Fonds, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University
The Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Smart Siding (no date)
Source: Manitoba Pool Fonds, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University
The Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Smart Siding (April 1998)
Source: George Penner
The former Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Smart Siding being demolished, after removal of its annex and driveshed (2002)
Source: Jim Robertson
The former Manitoba Pool grain elevator at Smart Siding being demolished (2002)
Source: Jim RobertsonSite Location (lat/long): N50.00106, W100.05274
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Valentine Irving Smart (1874-1940)
“Smart Siding elevator lost in blaze,” Rivers Gazette Reporter, 19 July 1962, page 6.
“Fire destroys elevator at Smart Siding,” Rapid City Reporter, 19 July 1962, page 1.
Obituary [George William Boast], Rapid City Reporter, 10 December 1970, page 1.
Obituary [Lloyd Henry Hackman], Russell Banner, 16 April 1991, page 9.
“Hamlet loses its elevator,” Brandon Sun, 1 December 2000, page 1.
“45 years ago, July 19, 1962,” Rivers Banner, 20 July 2007, page 5.
“45 years ago, Aug. 13, 1964,” Rivers Banner, 14 August 2009, page 3.
Obituary [John Robert Belcher], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 January 2010.
Manitoba Pool Fonds, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University.
Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.
We thank Shelagh Poolie (Viterra Inc.), Jim Robertson, George Penner, and Charlotte MacFarlane for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 8 December 2025
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