Photo by Vintage Aerial. 1996
Story written by Wendell Miller: “My Uncle Wayne Geeting owned the elevator in Savona. I worked there during the summers while I was in High School (1960-1963). My Grandfather Lester Geeting bought the elevator at public auction for my Uncle while he was serving in the US Army Air Force during WWll. It was originally Savona Coal and Feed. I watched as the business evolved over the years.
When the coal business slowed in 60’s they started handling grain and changed the name to Savona Feed and Grain. In the mid 60’s they built the fertilizer warehouse, which is still there. Savona Feed and Grain eventually merged with West Side Elevator. The Savona facility was sold to Harvest Land and was used for gain storage for several years. Either in the late 80’s or early 90’s a fire destroyed the elevator. The original office and fertilizer warehouse house are still there. I don’t know who presently owns the property.
Trotwine grocery was originally located across the street from the elevator”,
These are from newspaper article accounts gathered by Rich Emery for AWTHS.
In December 1905 George Kendig left his Miami County job to begin work at the Savona Elevator which was called or ran by Patty and Coppock.
1924 Elevator was sold by D L Mote. The new firm is Huff and Stauffer. Huff is the owner of the Strand Theatre in New Madison and Stauffer is a farmer. Both men will manage the elevator.
In 1932 there was a fire at Herman Westfall Grain. The elevator was completely destroyed, facility and contents. A couple of nearby houses and a store were also affected. 1,450 bushels of corn was side loaded in a train car and pushed to the side to safety.
In 1968 there was 16 stockholders. Savona was also in connection with West Side in Greenville. It started at a coal company. Wayne Geeting is in charge. Staff included wife Evie, Lowell McGlinch, Milton Spencer, Gary Shiverdecker and Dick North. West Side was managed under R C (Mac) McElwain.
This was built in 1950. In 1954 there was a fire which resulted in a complete remodel. Most grain was shipped out by railroad. The company supplied Provido Feeds as well as seeds for farmers. There was also a fertilizer plant and warehouse.
Thanks to Stephen Elifritz for the aerial photo of the plant which is copyrighted and not our photo.
AWTHS has numerous newspaper clippings in our archives about the elevator. They can be viewed during open hours or by appointment.
We are still looking for old photos of the elevator or people who owned or worked there.
Please follow AWTHS blog guidelines in respect to content, photos and clippings as well as copyrights to others.