Photo Set

Minneapolis Grain Elevators

ADM, General Mills, Kurth Malting and Gold Medal Flour facilities from active operation through demolition and redevelopment

The grain elevators of Minneapolis are the physical legacy of a city that once milled more flour than anywhere else on earth. Clustered along the Mississippi River corridor and threading through neighborhoods like Dinkytown, Prospect Park, and Northeast Minneapolis, these concrete silos and steel headhouses mark the sites where Midwestern grain was stored, processed, and shipped across the country and beyond.

Minneapolis built its milling identity on the falls of St. Anthony, where waterpower drove the great flour mills of the late nineteenth century. Companies such as Pillsbury and Washburn-Crosby — whose Gold Medal Flour brand still lights up the downtown waterfront in neon — turned the city into the dominant force in American grain processing. The rail lines and river access that made that possible also seeded a dense industrial landscape of elevators, malting houses, and machinery suppliers stretching well beyond the falls.

By the time Archer Daniels Midland, General Mills, Viterra, and Kurth Malting were operating here in the late twentieth century, the industry had contracted sharply from its peak. The Washburn A Mill, once the largest flour mill in the world, was rebuilt after a catastrophic 1878 explosion and eventually repurposed as the Mill City Museum. The ADM Nokomis Flour Mill in South Minneapolis closed in mid-2019. The Kurth Malting and Electric Steel elevator complexes in Dinkytown came down in 2017, clearing ground for University of Minnesota athletic facilities.

What remains is a mixed landscape. The ADM Delmar Elevator No. 7 — a massive abandoned concrete structure known locally as the United Crushers mill after graffiti visible from miles away — still stands near the University Transitway corridor. General Mills continues to operate grain facilities along active rail lines in Northeast Minneapolis. The Gold Medal Flour elevator anchors the downtown mill district beside the Stone Arch Bridge, which carried freight across the Mississippi when the industry was at its height and now carries pedestrians and cyclists past the same grain silos.

Map

ADM Grain Elevator and Harris Machinery Co., Minneapolis — *October 25, 2022* — The aging ADM grain elevator rises over the Harris Machinery Co. building in Minneapolis, a reminder of the city’s long industrial relationship with grain milling and riverfront commerce. These concrete storage silos and metal-clad headhouses were once central to moving Midwestern grain through the milling district, part of an infrastructure network that fueled Minneapolis’s identity as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World.” Harris Machinery Co., a longtime supplier of industrial equipment, occupies the foreground, its brick façade contrasting with the weathered surfaces of the towering elevator. The structures together illustrate the layered industrial history of the city’s working riverfront.

Gold Medal Flour neon sign atop a grain elevator in downtown Minneapolis. — *July 27, 2022* — The Gold Medal Flour sign marks the former Washburn-Crosby Company mill complex along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Washburn-Crosby, a predecessor of General Mills, adopted the Gold Medal name in 1880 after its flour won top honors at a Millers' International Exhibition in Cincinnati. The rooftop sign has stood above the mill district since the early 20th century, a period when Minneapolis produced more flour than any other city in the world. The surrounding complex, including the Washburn A Mill, is now preserved as part of the Mill City Museum and the St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

Highlight Center, a repurposed General Mills grain elevator facility in Northeast Minneapolis. — *July 22, 2022* — The Highlight Center occupies a former grain elevator complex in Northeast Minneapolis, built to store and process grain for regional milling operations. General Mills once operated the facility as part of its industrial network before the property fell out of use for agricultural processing. Developers later converted the concrete silos and headhouse into commercial office and creative space, retaining the original structure's tanks and tower as the building's defining architecture.

Pillsbury "A" Mill and water tower illuminated at night along Minneapolis's Main Street with the Expo building under construction. — *November 19, 2019* — The Pillsbury A Mill sits on the Mississippi riverfront at 415 Main Street SE, built in 1881 by Charles Pillsbury on the site of an earlier mill destroyed by an explosion. At the time of its construction, it was the largest flour mill in the world, producing wheat flour under the "Pillsbury's Best" name that still glows in neon atop the building. The mill operated until 2003 and was later designated a National Historic Landmark; it now houses the A-Mill Artist Lofts, an affordable housing complex for working artists completed in 2015. The water tower beside it, part of the historic milling complex, has been restored as a lighted architectural feature rather than a working tank. The Expo, the glass tower rising behind the mill, is part of the Mill & Main development along Main Street SE, adding market-rate apartments to the former industrial riverfront district.

Rear loading entrance of the former General Mills Purity Oats plant in Northeast Minneapolis, illuminated at night. — *November 3, 2019* — This view shows the rear loading and office entrance of the former General Mills Purity Oats facility in Northeast Minneapolis. Built during the city’s industrial boom, the complex once handled oat processing and packaging for one of the nation’s largest cereal producers.

General Mills Purity Oats facility storefront at 1201 Jackson Street NE in Northeast Minneapolis. — *November 3, 2019* — General Mills Purity Oats Facility, Minneapolis, at 1201 Jackson Street NE. The former industrial building in Northeast Minneapolis was part of General Mills’ grain and cereal processing operations.

Tracks at Archer Daniels Midland Elevator — *July 24, 2019* — Train tracks outside the long abandoned massive concrete Archer-Daniels-Midland Delmar Elevator No. 7 in Minneapolis. Known locally as the "United Crushers" mill after the large tag visible from miles away.

Archer Daniels Midland Delmar Elevator No 7 — *July 24, 2019* — The long abandoned massive concrete Archer-Daniels-Midland Delmar Elevator No. 7 in Minneapolis. Known locally as the "United Crushers" mill after the large tag visible from miles away.

Overgrown lot with graffiti-covered container beside concrete grain silos at the former ADM elevator in Minneapolis — *July 24, 2019* — This site is part of the former Archer Daniels Midland grain elevator complex in the Prospect Park area near Dinkytown, Minneapolis. The concrete silo structures visible here were used for grain storage before the facility was decommissioned. Vegetation has grown into the surrounding lot, and a graffiti-covered shipping container and stockpiled fill material now occupy the adjacent grounds.

Pedestrians walk on the Stone Arch Bridge with an orange railing, overlooking stone foundation and Minneapolis grain silos. — *June 28, 2019* — The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spans the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1883 by the St. Paul & Minneapolis Railroad. Today it's a pedestrian walkway and bicycle path.

The Mill City Museum, housed in the former Washburn "A" Grain Elevator in Minneapolis, preserves the history of the city's flour milling industry. — *November 5, 2018* — The Mill City Museum in Minneapolis is housed in the former Washburn "A" Grain Elevator, a structure that was once the largest flour mill in the world. The museum preserves and interprets the history of the mill and the city's flour milling industry, which was central to Minneapolis's development. The grain elevator, built in 1880, is a prominent example of industrial architecture from the era. Today, the museum offers exhibits on the milling process, the lives of mill workers, and the impact of the industry on the city's growth and identity.

The Gold Medal Flour neon sign illuminates a historic grain elevator in downtown Minneapolis, a reminder of the city's industrial past. — *November 5, 2018* — The "Gold Medal Flour" neon sign stands atop a historic grain elevator in downtown Minneapolis. This sign has been a prominent feature of the city's industrial waterfront for decades, advertising a brand that originated in the late 19th century. The grain elevator itself represents Minneapolis's past as a major milling and transportation hub for agricultural products.

Lit up neon sign reading Gold Medal Flour, Minneapolis — *October 18, 2017* — Gold Medal Flour and US Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

General Mills Grain Elevator and Rail Yard in Northeast Minneapolis, a key industrial facility for grain storage and transportation connecting to national markets. — *September 17, 2017* — The General Mills Grain Elevator and Rail Yard in Northeast Minneapolis is a critical component of the region's agricultural and industrial infrastructure. This facility, designed for the storage and transportation of grain, plays a vital role in the food processing industry, particularly for a company with deep roots in Minneapolis's milling history. The extensive rail yard adjacent to the elevators facilitates the efficient movement of commodities, connecting local production to national and international markets. Its presence underscores the historical importance of grain processing and transportation to the economic development of Minneapolis.

Tall brick grain elevator with metal fire escape and blue utility pipe against clear sky in Minneapolis. — *September 17, 2017* — Viterra operates this grain elevator in Minneapolis.

Caged metal ladder and walkway system on the exterior of a Viterra grain elevator in Minneapolis. — *September 17, 2017* — This caged ladder climbs the exterior of a grain elevator operated by Viterra in Minneapolis.

Loading dock door at Viterra grain elevator in Minneapolis displaying "Private Property" and "Flammable Materials" warning signs. — *September 17, 2017* — This loading dock belongs to a grain elevator operated by Viterra, a global agribusiness that handles grain storage, processing, and export.

Viterra grain elevator safety cage and platform with blue metal framework and ladder against clear sky in Minneapolis. — *September 17, 2017* — This structure is part of the Viterra grain elevator in Minneapolis, part of the industrial corridor tied to the city's historic grain-handling and milling operations along the Mississippi River.

Barred window with white trim set in bright turquoise wall of Viterra grain elevator in Northeast Minneapolis. — *September 17, 2017* — Viterra operates a grain elevator complex in Northeast Minneapolis, part of a network of storage terminals built along the rail corridor that once served the city's flour milling industry.

Turquoise steel loading frame and metal roll-up door at Viterra's grain elevator rail dock in Minneapolis. — *September 17, 2017* — Viterra operates this grain elevator and rail-loading dock in Minneapolis. A rail spur runs beneath the raised loading bay, allowing hopper cars to be positioned directly under the elevator for grain transfer.

Window 16 on the Viterra grain elevator in Minneapolis features a barred window with white frame and number 16 graffiti on turquoise wall. — *September 17, 2017* — Viterra grain elevator in Minneapolis.

Viterra grain elevator with turquoise metal tower and mustard seed storage facility in Northeast Minneapolis. — *September 17, 2017* — Viterra facility in Northeast Minneapolis. The elevator stores mustard seed and has been operating since the 1920s.

Construction site at night on the former Kurth Malting grain elevator grounds in Dinkytown, Minneapolis. — *September 6, 2017* — This construction site in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, sits on the former grounds of the Kurth Malting Company grain elevator. The elevator complex was demolished to clear land for a University of Minnesota athletic facility. Concrete silos from the adjacent Archer Daniels Midland elevator remain standing near the cleared parcel. Underground utility pipe and precast concrete vault sections visible on site are part of infrastructure work preceding new construction.

Railroad tracks lead to a General Mills grain elevator and freight train at night in Minneapolis. — *September 2, 2017* — A General Mills grain elevator complex sits along active rail lines in Minneapolis. General Mills, headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, operates grain milling and food production facilities across the Minneapolis area. Rail spurs connect the elevator to the wider freight network, including Canadian National and other North American carriers, for shipping grain and finished products.

ADM Nokomis Flour Mill complex in South Minneapolis at night, featuring illuminated grain silos and brick mill buildings adjacent to railroad tracks. — *September 2, 2017* — ADM Nokomis Flour Mill in South Minneapolis was an Archer Daniels Midland grain-processing facility. The complex includes mill buildings, grain silos, and rail access for moving grain and flour. The mill closed in mid-2019.

Demolition equipment at the Electric Steel and Kurth Malting grain elevator complex in Minneapolis's Dinkytown area. — *June 16, 2017* — The Electric Steel and Kurth Malting grain elevator complex in Minneapolis's Dinkytown area was being demolished in June 2017. Construction equipment worked across the cleared site as the grain elevator structures remained standing nearby.

Abandoned brick laboratory building of the former Archer Daniels Midland grain elevator complex in Minneapolis. — *February 21, 2017* — This brick building housed the former laboratories of the Archer Daniels Midland grain elevator complex in Minneapolis. ADM operated the adjacent grain elevator facility, using this structure to support quality testing and research functions for milled and stored grain. The site has since been vacated and stands unused, with "Protect Property Keep Out" signage posted on the grounds.

Concrete grain silos of the Archer Daniels Midland elevator in Southeast Minneapolis at night. — *February 21, 2017* — This Archer Daniels Midland grain elevator stands in the Southeast Minneapolis industrial corridor along the Mississippi River. ADM operates the facility as part of its grain storage and processing network, which supplies agricultural commodities for milling and export. The concrete cylindrical silos are a construction type commonly used for grain elevators built in the mid-20th century to maximize storage capacity. The site remains an active component of Minneapolis's grain-handling infrastructure, linked to nearby rail lines for transport.

Concrete grain elevator complex with silos and headhouse during demolition in Dinkytown, Minneapolis. — *February 12, 2017* — This grain elevator complex is located in the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The concrete silo structures and attached headhouse were built to store and process grain for milling operations tied to the city's historic milling industry. Rubble visible at the site's base s the structure was undergoing demolition. A crane positioned adjacent to the complex was used in the demolition process.

Abandoned ADM grain elevator complex in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, with "UNITED CRUSHERS" branding on silos. — *April 12, 2016* — The abandoned ADM grain elevator complex in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, stands as a relic of the city's industrial past. Originally part of the Pillsbury Company's operations, these concrete silos were constructed to store and process grain, a vital function for Minneapolis's historical role as a milling center. The adjacent brick building likely served administrative or processing purposes.

The ADM Grain Elevator and Harris Machinery buildings in Minneapolis's Prospect Park show fire damage and ice accumulation. The ADM silos are marked "CRUSHERS". — *January 18, 2016* — The ADM Grain Elevator and Harris Machinery buildings in Prospect Park, Minneapolis, show extensive ice and snow accumulation following a significant fire. The fire gutted the interior of the Harris Machinery structure, leaving its exterior heavily damaged and encased in ice. The ADM Grain Elevator, identified by the "CRUSHERS" lettering on its silos, stands adjacent to the damaged machinery building. These structures are part of Minneapolis's industrial history, with grain elevators playing a crucial role in the city's development as a milling and transportation hub.

The ADM Grain Elevator in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, is marked with United Crushers graffiti. Grain elevators were vital to the Midwest's agricultural economy and industrial past. — *June 6, 2014* — The ADM Grain Elevator in Minneapolis's Dinkytown neighborhood is marked with graffiti by the United Crushers art collective. Grain elevators were essential to the agricultural economy of the Midwest, serving as vital storage and distribution points for harvested crops. This structure, like many others, represents a significant piece of the region's industrial past.

Abandoned grain elevators in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are covered in graffiti. A Triple Crown trailer is parked nearby, indicating ongoing activity at the derelict industrial site. — *November 3, 2012* — These abandoned grain elevators in Minneapolis, Minnesota, stand as remnants of the city's industrial past. Once vital for storing and processing agricultural products, these structures represent a significant chapter in the region's economic history. The presence of graffiti suggests the site is now disused and has become a canvas for street art.

The ADM Grain Elevator in Minneapolis, a concrete structure from mid-20th century industrial architecture, stands amidst overgrown vegetation and graffiti-adorned outbuildings. — *November 3, 2012* — The ADM Grain Elevator in Minneapolis stands as a testament to the city's historical role as a hub for agricultural processing and distribution. Constructed to facilitate the storage and handling of grain, such facilities were crucial for the region's economy, supporting farming communities and the food industry. While the specific construction date and original purpose of this particular elevator are not detailed, its imposing concrete structure is characteristic of mid-20th century industrial architecture designed for efficiency and capacity.

The ADM Grain Elevator complex, also known as United Crushers, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a large industrial facility for grain storage and processing. — *November 3, 2012* — The ADM United Crushers grain elevator complex in Minneapolis is a prominent industrial facility. These structures are essential for the storage and processing of agricultural products, playing a key role in the food supply chain. The "United Crushers" tag at this point has become a historical tag in Minneapolis.

United Crushers grain elevator stands beside the University of Minnesota Transitway in the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis. — *September 5, 2012* — The University of Minnesota Transitway runs along the East Bank corridor in Minneapolis, carrying university and Metro Transit buses between the Twin Cities campuses. It parallels former rail lines near Dinkytown, an area long tied to grain handling and rail freight. The concrete elevator complex next to the route operated for decades by ADM, part of the grain processing industry that once anchored this stretch of the riverfront.

Minneapolis Grain Elevators

Minneapolis Photographer