September marks the 95th anniversary of Collingwood’s concrete grain terminal, one of our town’s most recognizable landmarks from both land and water. But did you know that for over 160 years not one but three different grain elevators have graced our town’s harbour. In this first episode of our fourth season we recount the enduring tale of our grain terminals’ history beginning in 1855 and continuing to this day.

After the story we invite our listeners to join us for some or all of the many annual events happening in and around the museum this month. There is still time to get your submission in for the caption contest for our next terminal themed T-shirt design! Don’t delay. September 7 is our highly anticipated Shipyard Social, and from September 20-23 we will be at the Great Northern Exhibition! We hope to see you for all of them. See our website and/or Facebook page (collingwood.ca/culture-recreation-events/heritage-museum/collingwood-museum) (facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) for more details.

Episode Picture:

For approximately nine years Collingwood had two grain elevators along the harbour pier. In this photograph the wooden grain elevator built in 1871 is positioned in front of the newer concrete terminals which opened in 1929. A ship is docked alongside the pier. [Collingwood Museum Collection X974.362.1]

Research:

Collingwood Terminals, Collingwood’s Second Big Link with the Lakes Enterprise Bulletin Nov. 26, 1970.

Old Landmark Elevator in Hands of Wreckers Enterprise Bulletin June 24 1937.

G.T.R Elevator Marks Fiftieth Anniversary Enterprise Bulletin May 19 1921.

Thom Robert. Growing Old Together. Canadian National Railway Magazine Feb. 12 1925.

Isabel Griffin. History of the Grain Elevators Enterprise Bulletin Aug 7 1996.

Built Heritage Assessment, Collingwood Grain Terminals, Town of Collingwood, ON, Archaeological Research Associates Ltd., December 2021.

Newspaper article “Looking Back Through The Years”

Newspaper article “Cement grain elevator first built in open water” by Isabel Griffin

Newspaper article “Steamer ‘Munising’ Brought First Cargo”

Links:

"Off the Rails" Season 2, Episode 10. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Off-The-Rails-e24u5c6