Pride of the Judith - Pride of the Judith... Hobson Elevators

The elevators absolutely need some love!!

They are 110 years old.
That’s a lot of sun, wind, snow, rain and hail!

Fall 2019 update
The elevators are staying put!! Thanks to everyone for their support and sharing the love of these icons — BNSF heard us! Formal fundraising and elevator work has been on hold as lease details are worked through the BNSF system. Stay tuned….

Welcome

BNSF began preparing for demolition of the iconic Hobson elevators in March, 2018 following safety concern reports. Discussion with BNSF found several discrepancies, the largest being that the Hobson community did NOT want them destroyed. BNSF granted a six month stay of demolition (until the first of September) for a solid plan to be in place to restore the structures to code and enter a BNSF property lease.

Hobson
Middle of Montana, the bend in the road at the pair of historic grain elevators

IS IT REALLY FEASIBLE TO KEEP THEM STANDING?

Structurally?

The elevators are sound! The structural engineer’s report states that the foundations and bones of the elevators themselves are in great shape. As can be easily witnessed, they need some clean-up and support of their outer structures, siding improvements, paint, and new roofs.

The elevators will be “sealed” to prevent entrance by beast (two and four legged). They will be landmarks only, no commerce, grain storage, or other activity will occur there. This work along with the repairs will allow the necessary insurance to be obtained, satisfying the BNSF lease requirements.

With this love to make them healthy, they should be able to stand another 100 years!

“That would be sad if those are torn down. How will we ever find our way home?
Oh, come on and just admit it. We all look for elevators as soon as we top the hill.”
~ Lynette White

These giant tributes to our history are disappearing all over.
Saddens me that so much in our world is just disposable.
~ Ruth Wicks

Nooo! It’s not home without them!
~ Katherine Wade

That’s tragic, they are such a great Central Montana Landmark!
~ Roger Jacobs

And the cost?

An estimate has been compiled based on the requirements of the structural engineer’s report. Costs for repairs, supplies and labor will be $30,000. Returning Hobson’s landmark elevators to health and beauty is absolutely attainable! Estimated annual fees (BNSF Lease, Insurance, Taxes) will be $2,500. Ideas are brewing on how to cover this cost each year, if you’re curious or interested, talk to Gerri.

Who owns them?

The west elevator is currently owned by the Ward family, the east elevator by Dan and Linda Deegan. Both families want them to remain and are willing to reassign ownership to make that happen. Due to increased cost in separate BNSF leases and insurance, the elevator leases have not been maintained for several years.

Pride of the Judith... Hobson Elevators

Welcome

Structurally?

And the cost?

Who owns them?

Join Us

in maintaining the love and pride in these relic prairie skyscrapers.

Renew their emotional stronghold and constant nod

to our ancestors and founders of this agricultural community.