So far, online auction bidders only feel Broken Arrow’s grain elevator is worth $600. But to many residents, the 158-foot-tall downtown fixture is worth much more.
After the Sentinel broke the story Tuesday about Hansen-Mueller putting one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks up for sale — along with four others the company owns — we asked residents what they would do with the downtwon structure if money was no object.
Before we share that, let’s hear from Nancy Brian, who is Collections Manager for The Museum Broken Arrow.
First off, Broken Arrow began as a railroad depot town. “What helped the town rise, literally, were its grain elevators, mills and gins by the railroad track,” Brian says. “Broken Arrow had the most complete and up-to-date elevators, and farmers from all over the area would line up with their crops to sell. They also used their time in town to shop Main Street.”
Brian also notes Broken Arrow was an agricultural town early on. Up until World War II, there weren’t any jobs outside of occupations on Main Street. “Coal mining was seasonal, and predictable paychecks were a rarity,” she says.
Farmers Co-Op came to the city in 1942, succeeding BA Milling Co. In 1962 the lone standing elevator was built with the Farmers Co-Op branding on it. It was also painted with an image of a broken arrow and the city shield.
“The present grain elevator is the lone tribute to our country roots. The train depot was torn down, as was the old high school and superintendent’s home,” Brian says. “We have not done well with preserving our history. However, Main Street has done well to occupy original buildings and the elevator is also a Rose District artifact. And should remain so.”
Broken Arrow residents and followers on Facebook had plenty to say about the grain elevator’s potential fate and made their own suggestions. A few suggested the city of Broken Arrow to buy the property so the structure would remain standing. Some are concerned it will be torn down and the lot redeveloped for housing or retail like has occurred with grain facilities in other cities.
Denise Kunze Repschlager says the news made her wax nostalgic. Her family has farmed in Broken Arrow since 1918. She says it was truly a blessing when the Farmers Co-Op built the elevator.
“It needs a large telescope on top and a climbing and repelling face,” she wrote. “Dad took my sister and I up to the first platform where he peered over the edge and I hugged the wall. I don’t like heights.
“I’ve made many a trip to the elevator both riding with parents or a grandparent before. At 17, I drove my first grain truck onto the front wheel hoist. It raised the front axle off the ground and poured the load of wheat out the back into the pit.
“I used to love getting peanuts and Boston baked beans from the candy dispenser in the scale house and a Coke! The mill was next door. We dropped off hay to be ground along with grain, into cattle feed which was put into sacks and tied with heavy white cord.”
“I always thought it would be cool to have it lit up to where you can see from a distance at night,” says Jason Brown. “With the top part have a lit up with the BA logo.”
“I remember going to the bank drive-thru nearby years ago and more than once you would see a man standing in the opening where trucks would drive in and grain would be “raining” down on him,” wrote Terri Kalfas.
“With the sun’s rays shining through from behind him it was amazing. I always wished I had a photo of it.”
Here are some of the ideas:
- Rock climbing and rappelling
- Artist studios
- Observation tower with history of BA
- Air BnB
- Restaurant
- Penthouse
- Brewery
- Multi-level nightclub
- Zipline
- “Goat tower”
- Radio repeater
- Drop ride
- Boutique hotel called “the Silo” with dollar-operated ferris wheel or carousel
Jerry Medlin says
I think it would be neat as a rock climb inside and a repel and zip line outside! And painted with another city history murial like on the museum! Ran by the city to raise revenue for other projects.