The Silo
Standing only a few dozen feet from the smokestacks was what first appeared to be yet another smokestack. This one concrete, half the height of the previous concrete tower, and much thicker at the base. Approaching it, however, we quickly noticed the large opening on its front side. Inside we could make out what looked like a doorway with some sort of metal ladder inside. This was no smokestack. In fact, we have no idea what this thing was used for. The closest description I can come up with is that it’s some type of silo, used to store something but I have no idea what. More on that later, first the tour.
The first odd item from inside is also probably the biggest clue. Along the far wall is a doorway through which we could see what looked like a bucket conveyor. The conveyor was built from large chain links, in between which were supported steel “scoops”. At the front end (closest to the door) the scoops were pointed down, on the opposite side they were pointed up. Oviously these buckets transported something up to the top of the silo from here - but what?
A closer look at the “scoops”. We couldn’t see up the space the conveyor ran, but from the outside it looks like it runs along the entire height of the silo, incased in a concrete rib on the structures backside.
Sitting on the floor directly in front of the conveyor was this hole. This is probably a maintenance access point to get to the conveyor mechanism I would guess. Or this is where you dumped whatever was being moved by the conveyor.
High above our heads was a ceiling punctured by this small opening. It looks like either a metal chute or door once sat across the opening. This upper area might have served as a storage space, since there was no obvious method of getting up there.
Also running along the ceiling were a pair of rails that made their way out through the large rectangular opening on the front of the silo. These rails might have once supported a crane, or other lifting device. Or they could have not. I don’t know.
Along the outside of the silo was a series of openings. On the first floor, as seen here, were a pair of “windows” and a doorway on the opposite side. On the upper level was another “window”. There was also a large opening on the backside of the conveyor ridge.
Here’s the silo as I think it looks on the inside. My guess would be some sort of storage purpose. Material was pulled up from the bottom level and dumped into the top level. Problem is that this structure is not listed on the site map found at the HAER listings, nor have I seen it in any pictures either. The concrete construction, coupled with the conveyor which must of been powered by an electric motor (no room for a steam engine, no pulleys nearby for a belt drive), makes this structure a more modern addition. Perhaps someone out there has a clue…
Until then, moving on….
Where abouts is this located in relation to the other buidlings at the site?
Joe Dase | August 23, 2007
Joe..
This sits just to the south-east of the stack to the pump/boiler house. My guess is that it was directly behind that building - possible attached. This would also place it just to the west of the coal shed.
The maps at the HAER do not include this structure, so it must be a more modern addition. Either it was in relation to the coal handling facilities that would of sat behind it (in the picture on the left) or it was part of an automatic stoker / ash scrapper that was mentioned to have been added later in the boiler house’s life.
explorer | August 23, 2007
Looking at the inside pics, there appears to be a layer of some dark material on the floor that could be the remains of coal. Or is this just a dark colored stamp sand? If it’s coal it could lend credence to the idea of the automated stoker. What was your impression when you were there, Mike?
Dale Beitz | August 23, 2007
Mike, I agree with you and Dale, looks like a coal bunker for fines… I would hate to be the guy that had to muck out all of the spillage from the bucket conveyor, they spill allot!
Joe Dase | August 23, 2007
Dale…
It could of been coal but I’m really not sure now. (its been a few weeks). Most likely the coal was loaded into that rear slit on the conveyor line, and brought up to the top storage bunker. From there it must of been dumped down into a car or bucket suspended off the rails. Then maybe brought through that hole and dumped into the boiler?? I really don’t know. But I’m with you guys - coal bunker thing. Mystery solved!
explorer | August 23, 2007
Got some new information on this baby thanks to our good friend Charles (who saves the day again…thanks!) who was kind enough to send out some Sanborn/Arial combo imagery to help out.
In 1907 this structure was not present, but in its place was a coal conveyor, which most likely brought coal in from the nearby coal shed to the boiler house. In 1917 that conveyor is gone, and in its place is a round blackened out structure attached to the rear of the pump/boiler house - which unfortunately was not labeled. BUT, 1917 was coincidentally the year the Taylor mechanical stokers and ash handling equipment was installed at the pump/boiler house.
So, all this leads me to believe that this structure is indeed some sort of coal handling thing, maybe even a Taylor mechanical stoker. Mystery solved again.
explorer | August 24, 2007