Grain elevators are architectural landmarks that represent an era in South Dakota鈥檚 history when the railroad was king and the number of farmers was plentiful. Even though there are fewer elevators today, they continue to be important to South Dakota鈥檚 economy. Grain businesses continue to buy and sell grain, repair old grain elevators and build new ones to respond to the demand of the market.
The South Dakota Wheat Growers Association elevators in Aberdeen illustrates the change in elevator technology and capacity. At the right side of the photo, standing in the shadows of the modern facility is one of the first elevators. The modern elevator鈥檚 West Terminal is part of the Agtegra Cooperative and has the capacity to store 1,848,859 bushels.