‘Icons of the Prairies’: One Alberta man’s quest to preserve Nanton’s grain elevators

Leo Wieser, former movie industry worker, once constructed a million-dollar swimming pool that was only used for a single day.

Now, he is on a mission to raise funds to preserve two iconic 21-metre grain elevators in Nanton, Alberta. These elevators, according to Wieser, were landmarks from the early 1900s that served as social hubs for the community.

As the president of the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre in Nanton, Wieser is dedicated to saving these historical structures that hold significant cultural value.

Wieser’s passion for preserving history was sparked during his childhood next to Heritage Park in Calgary. This led him to pursue a career in scenic design and special effects for movies and television.

His efforts to restore the Nanton elevators are compared to staging a production, aiming to provide visitors with an immersive historical experience.

The elevators, nearly a century old, are in need of restoration to ensure their longevity. Wieser’s initiatives, including entering contests and hosting events, are aimed at securing the necessary funds for the preservation project.

Despite facing challenges in fundraising, Wieser remains committed to safeguarding these architectural relics that symbolize the rich history of the region.

With the decline of grain elevators across Western Canada, Wieser emphasizes the importance of preserving these structures as a tribute to the past and a reminder of the community’s heritage.

Through his dedication to historical preservation, Wieser continues to make a difference in keeping the legacy of the grain elevators alive for future generations to appreciate.

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