About us and the "Old mill"
The Bob Nelson family, owners of the Ross Grain Elevator.
The history of our landscape is changing with modern agriculture, but there is something to say about staying in touch with our past. My family and I live in a small town of 28 people surrounded by some of Iowa's best farmland. Next to our property is the towering "old mill", as the kids call it, or the Ross Grain Elevator. Its construction is remarkable with 2X6 boards flat stacked. The mechanisms inside remain unchanged from modernization. It was in rough shape, but we wanted to save it.
We purchased this elevator in 2014 from a dear friend, Betty Sievers, whose family owned it since the early 1940s. Her husband's wish was to see it restored. In his 80s, he replaced the windows and put a new roof on the head-house, but sadly, he passed away before he could do more. We applied for and were awarded a $25,000 matching grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation to help restore the Ross Grain Elevator and it was the start to retaining history.
After years of hard work from the contractors, volunteers, and our family, this unique building and the structures around it, will remain a part of the landscape for years to come.
We are thrilled to share this accomplishment with Betty and her family and other preservationists who appreciate agri-history. Thank you to all who helped save the Ross Grain Elevator!
We purchased this elevator in 2014 from a dear friend, Betty Sievers, whose family owned it since the early 1940s. Her husband's wish was to see it restored. In his 80s, he replaced the windows and put a new roof on the head-house, but sadly, he passed away before he could do more. We applied for and were awarded a $25,000 matching grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation to help restore the Ross Grain Elevator and it was the start to retaining history.
After years of hard work from the contractors, volunteers, and our family, this unique building and the structures around it, will remain a part of the landscape for years to come.
We are thrilled to share this accomplishment with Betty and her family and other preservationists who appreciate agri-history. Thank you to all who helped save the Ross Grain Elevator!
