Great Northern Elevator

The Great Northern Elevator is a grain storage facility in Buffalo built with steel cylindrical bins for holding large quantities of grain. The structure contained 48 storage bins and loading equipment designed to move grain efficiently between rail and ship transport.

This facility was built in 1897 as one of the first grain elevators to use cylindrical steel bins instead of traditional flat storage designs. A severe storm in 1922 damaged much of the structure, leading to significant repairs and improvements afterward.

This grain storage facility became a symbol of Buffalo's role as a crucial hub where Midwest crops moved toward the Atlantic coast. The building's industrial design shaped how the city looked and functioned during its peak years of operation.

This site sits along the waterfront, positioned for direct transfer of grain between rail and ship transport. Visitors should know that some areas are difficult to access due to the industrial nature of the site.

The facility used specialized mechanical lifting arms to move grain between storage sections and transport vessels with remarkable speed. This equipment design was ahead of its time and made operations there notably faster than competing facilities.

Location: New York

Inception: September 29, 1897

GPS coordinates: 42.86670,-78.87220

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:23