Sunday, December 4, 2011


Isn't it funny how images can speak thousands of words.
The images I captured from the burn captured years of farming, life and memories going up in flames for many in the town of Cleveland, MN over the weekend.
Cleveland. Population 671. 
The elevator, when in full operation, supported many of those 671 residents of Cleveland. 
As times have changed the need for the elevator declined, so the piece of property became more valuable as bare land, not one with a defunct grain elevator on it. 
You couldn't help but see some sad smiles and tears in the eyes of an older generation as they stood and watched the burn. Many cameras came out to capture the destruction of the elevator. Many words of how bitter sweet it really is to see it go. Many people wondering what the town would look like without a landmark that people came to recognize while passing through on HWY 99. 
Cleveland. Population 671, now without one large and historical grain elevator. 

(Pictured above is a star, that was lit up on the elevator every Christmas for many years. It burned with the rest of the elevator on Saturday.)

1 comment:

  1. Can't wait to see the rest of your elevator shots, Sara. I photographed this elevator several years ago and well remember that star. So sad that no one removed that sign, though.

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