Old and New Grain Elevators, Sherman County, Oregon

Wesley Picotte

Old and New Grain Elevators, Sherman County, Oregon

Old and New Grain Elevators, Sherman County, Oregon is part of a growing series of images depicting a historic, wooden grain elevator located in Kent, Oregon, a once robust farming community that today is little more than a crossroads. [see the series]

Concrete and metal grain elevators dot central and eastern Oregon and operate as hubs for farming co-ops. Farmers contribute their grain and in so doing, collectively maintain greater leverage on market rates. These elevators primarily serve large farms because that’s mostly what remains in operation in Oregon today, but this wooden example is part of a tangible legacy of small, family-run ranches and their fight to maintain a uniquely American way of life.

This fascinating building is one of a precious remaining few – most have been disassembled or burned down (often due to arson). Its timbers graduate from as thick as 12”x12” at the base to much thinner as you ascend its elevation, an engineering tactic that enabled great scale. It’s no longer in use – the cement elevator next to it is – but it’s weather-worn and patinated, wooden mosaic and it’s sheer bulk – visible for miles – is quite incredible to behold.

Please check out the series Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon and find out when it’s added to adding me to your watchlist :)

The series:

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Old and New Grain Elevators, Sherman County, Oregon belongs to the following groups:

Architectural Photography, Dilapidated Buildings, Farms and Countryside, Ruins, Ancient and Derelict Buildings, United States and Western United States Artists and Photographers Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Old and New Grain Elevators, Sherman County, Oregon by Wesley Picotte
Old and New Grain Elevators, Sherman County, Oregon by Wesley Picotte
  • Beth Lambert

    Beth Lambert

    Very very neat. I love the fantastic treatment you used to make this picture stand out. Well done

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks Beth!

  • Glenn-Patrick Ferguson

    Glenn-Patrick ...

    Excellent contrasts here….......

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks very much! Your stuff is incredible—truly, I’m really impressed. The compositions and tones are beautiful. Kudos.

  • Rosina  Lamberti

    Rosina Lamberti

    Love your Black and Whites

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thank you so much, Rosina. Your work is really, really interesting. You have some amazing images – I love “Lines”!!

  • Austin Texas

    Austin Texas

    great work ya’ll

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks much!

  • budrfli

    budrfli

    great comp and black and white, excellent historic find

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks for the comment, budrfli!

  • donhelyer

    donhelyer

    I grew up 7 miles south of Kent and watched the use of slip forms building the cement elevator.

  • Felicia Moore

    Felicia Moore

    Love the contrasts in this, Wesley! Two monoliths. One light. One dark. It seems these two buildings are waging a power struggle over good and evil. Lovely editing as well. It gives a sense of movement to something very still- a technique I am noticing you are very good at!

  • Denis Dalby

    Denis Dalby

    Great contrast between old and new. Good shot!

  • Vickie Emms

    Vickie Emms

    I am co-host of a new group called Prairie Sentinels of the Past. We would love to have this image in our group and any others you might have depicting old.

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