In carnivals, a carny might tempt take your money and offer a prize for guessing your weight correctly. In the Audubon County town of Ross, you may rewarded for guessing the weight, of the last wooden grain elevator, and help to save it. Bob and Janet Nelson, owners of the 130 year old elevator have been raising money to help restore what appears to be the oldest wooden elevator still standing, in Iowa.

Photo from www.saverosselevator.com.

Bob Nelson says the elevator in Ross was built in the early 1880’s by Civil War veteran, Capt. Charles Stuart, who also founded Stuart, Iowa. Nelson says a family who has owned the elevator since the 1930’s, offered him the chance to buy the structure with hopes that it would be restored to the best possible condition. The elevator came about when the railroads were built, shortening the length of time it took to get crops to market, and making a spot where people could gather to socialize.

Wooden elevators typically were built to last 40-years, but more often than not, they were destroyed by fires created by sparks from passing railroad steam engines. They usually lasted no more than 10-years. A fundraising effort has allowed enough money begin the process. The effort began, according to Nelson, after they received a $25,000 grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation. The grant required matching funds, which Nelson has been able to accomplish.

He says they won’t be enough to completely cover the cost of restoration, so a contest is being held to guess the weight of the structure as it’s lifted off the limestone foundation, which has collapsed on three-sides. The foundation is the first thing set to be restored. The weight of the elevator roughly 25-by-30-to 60-feet high elevator will be measured by specially calibrated heavy-duty equipment.
Guess3 :16 Q:”…May 18th.”
(Nelson says people that want to guess the weight of the elevator can do so by donating when they log-on to www.saverosselevator.com. The structure is scheduled to be lifted-off the foundation next week, weather permitting.  The person with the closest guess will have a plaque with their name displayed inside the elevator, once restoration work is completed.