Wooden Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon - Support Timbers

Wesley Picotte

Wooden Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon - Support Timbers

Wooden Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon – Support Timbers 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]

Please view this image LARGER.

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. This wooden monolith 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 by adding me to your watchlist :)

The series:

[my RB homepage]

Wooden Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon - Support Timbers belongs to the following groups:

Architectural Photography, Dilapidated Buildings, Farms and Countryside, Natural Textures, Pacific Northwest , Rural Around The Globe, 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

Wooden Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon - Support Timbers by Wesley Picotte
Wooden Grain Elevator, Sherman County, Oregon - Support Timbers by Wesley Picotte
  • Beth Lambert

    Beth Lambert

    Great dof and textures.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks—this building is crazy with textures :)

  • Mel Brackstone

    Mel Brackstone

    My husband would love to see this, just to look at how the timbers are all put together, I’d like to see it to shoot. You’ve done a great job here, love the point of view, and great lines and textures

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks much, Mel! It really is an amazing building, it form rising in juxtaposition from the farmland that surrounds it for miles. Let me know when you guys are heading for the states and I’ll point you in the right direction :)

  • budrfli

    budrfli

    neat perspecive and texturem great history

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks!

  • Felicia Moore

    Felicia Moore

    Wonderful texture, contrast and perspective in this, Wesley! The darker crossbeams create a very modern design in something that is very old.

  • Dayonda

    Dayonda

    Awesome. I hope we don’t have another arson and lose this one, too.
    There are still round barns in the Northwest—they should be protectd from idiots, too.

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Where are the round barns? I want to see one!

  • gemlenz

    gemlenz

    beautiful scene… nicely presented

  • Wesley Picotte replied

    Thanks very much, George!

  • yorgi

    yorgi

    Great perspective. Fantastic detail. Well done

  • Vickie Emms

    Vickie Emms

    This and others that you have are very interesting shots, – would you consider adding your elevator photos to our group Prairie Sentinels of the Past

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