The American Elevator

The American Elevator was the first reinforced concrete grain elevator built on Buffalo's waterfront. It was designed and built by the James Stewart Company for the American Malting Company in 1906 using the slip form construction method, in which concrete is continuously poured into a form as it is slowly raised. Herry Wait designed an addition to the American Elevator in 1933. The elevator supported malt production for beer until 1921, when both the elevator and its owner fell victim to Prohibition. It was then purchased by the Russell-Miller company and used to supply wheat for their new flour mill. In 1954, the Peavey Corporation purchased the elevator and mill and retained control until 1982, when the elevator was acquired by ConAgra. The elevator has two marine legs, one stationary and one moveable, and the original leg featured a rope driven power transmission system, an example of a once important little known system that is now obsolete.

Buffalo, New York · United States