Photo by Melissa Vander Plas
Fillmore County is home to 37 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the newest designee being the McMichael grain elevator in Harmony. According to Vicky Tribon, it is the second in Harmony – the first being the Dayton House, an old stagecoach stop just outside of town.
The Harmony Area Historical Society has been leading an effort, over the past five years, to preserve this historic site, located across from the Harmony Visitor Center, and to have it designated to the National Park Service’s prestigious list.
The steering committee for this ongoing project includes Cliff Johannessen, Richard Kiehne, Tribon and Ralph Beastrom.
When the organization learned the designation request had been approved on Friday, March 31, the four committee members experienced a wealth of emotion – from relief to excitement – before also being faced with the daunting tasks that come next.
Tribon explained that discussions about preserving the grain elevator had started “years ago” when former tourism director Marilyn Trouten and Harmony business owner Barb Soma talked about possibilities for the grain elevator. The elevator was then part of the Harmony Agri Services, owned by Soma and her husband Jeff.
The project really started to gain ground about five years ago, however, when the local historical society took it on as one of its priorities.
According to Beastrom, the property mapping and survey took place in 2018 and the organization applied for a local Harmony Area Community Foundation grant to help in implementing the first phase of the project. This phase included defining a development plan to preserve the historic elevator as a key piece of Harmony’s history.
In 2019, the Somas and Harmony Agri Services donated the elevator and the plot of land it stood on to the city of Harmony and the historical society became its caretaker, beginning the journey to get the site named to the National Register.
The first thing the committee did was to install temporary electrical service to the building with the help of Morem Electric and hired a consultant who could help with the immense amount of research and paperwork necessary for this process.
During the pandemic, research was being done and paperwork filed, including a successful grant application to the Minnesota Historical Society, which helped determine the eligibility for the Register and cover some of the costs associated with the first phase of the project.
In 2021, more public events began to take place with open houses held at the elevator during community celebrations and soda blasting to clean the interior of the workhouse.
The committee also began forming their educational materials to spread the word of their project to residents as well as Harmony supporters living in other parts of the country.
In 2022, internal electrical outlets and lighting were added and windows were repaired to further secure the building. Construction signage was installed and the completed National Register application was submitted.
And then the waiting began – with a few amendments and revisions being made to the application as needed.
Receiving word that the grain elevator would indeed be included in the Register is definitely a cause for celebration, but it also comes with additional responsibilities, Beastrom said.
This designation is expected to open up additional sources of funding for the historical society to begin renovation and rehabilitation of the building, foundation and surrounding property.
“Getting on the Register was part of Phase One,” Beastrom said. “Phase Two consists of hiring a renovation architect for a building assessment and coming up with structural, mechanical and safety reviews. Community fundraising will also be a key part of this phase.”
The third phase of the project will include external renovation, which is expected to include a new roof; siding and windows; doors; improved foundation, entryways and walkways; expanded electrical services and sprinklers for fire safety.
A fourth phase will include continued necessary maintenance and repairs; the development of an interpretive and educational display to be located in the elevator; and expanding the electrical service and lighting within the structure.
Beastrom explained that the historical society can modify the building, but there will be certain guidelines to follow to restore it to a specific period of historical significance during the 1970s in Harmony.
Committee members agree the elevator is a symbol of Harmony’s agricultural history. It served as an instrumental part of the transportation of grain in and out of Harmony on the railroad for 30 years. When the railroad stopped running in 1977, the grain elevator was used for other purposes and for storage before it began getting a “new life” in the past few years.
“The structure is really pretty solid,” Kiehne pointed out. “Nine of the bins inside are original to the building, with some being added at some point.”
Tribon reiterated the importance of sharing the elevator’s story as it is intertwined with the development of farming and railroads and tells the early history of Harmony. She added, “Harmony relies on agriculture – when farmers do well, our businesses do well – it’s all very interconnected.”
Preserving the elevator is one way to also honor the origin of the community. “We wouldn’t be here without the farmers,” she continued. “The elevator is our Harmony history. One is dependent on the other.”
As someone who staffed the elevator during recent open houses, Johannessen explained he loved visiting with the “old farmers” who got nostalgic and shared stories as they walked through.
Tribon pointed out it is important for the youth to learn where their food comes from and how important agriculture is to our country – not just southeastern Minnesota.
As the steering committee looks to the next step in this large project, it has one main concern. “We need someone to drive the project,” said Beastrom.
Johannessen hopes having this designation on the Register will prove to the community that the project is legitimate and important. “I think it will show the community that we are confident it is worth doing and they will come forward to help and to financially support what we are doing as we move forward,” he said.
The historical society is planning a gathering on Wednesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at the Harmony Visitor Center. It will not only be a celebration of this designation to the National Register, but also an opportunity to share ideas and get inspired by potential new committee members. If you would be interested in becoming part of the committee as it pursues the next few phases of this project, please plan to attend the meeting on May 10. If unable to attend the meeting, feel free to send an email to the Harmony Area Historical Society at harmonymnhistory@gmail.com.
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