History
Ardis Grady Clampitt (referred to as Grady) was born in Claibourn Parish, Louisiana in 1891. He built the historic grain elevator on his property in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park near Mancos, Colorado in 1934. Mr. Clampitt and Mr. Luellen raised dryland wheat (there was no irrigation system in place at this time) on the valley floor bordering the Mesa Verde Plateau. Perhaps it was the December 1933 article whose headline read, “Elevators Earned Profits Past Year” which sparked Mr. Clampitt’s interest. According to a descendant, Grady Clampitt owned the first combine in the Mancos Valley.
The structure is 50 feet tall, constructed of 2x4’s laid flat. It had a tin roof, landing dock and basement. The basement is filled with rocks. It was painted bright red. The cleaner was manufactured by Master Cleaner (Model R-B) in Alma, Michigan.
Research of the Mancos Times-Tribune indicates times were tough for the residents of the small valley town. The government was offering incentives such as the “Rural Rehabilitation Program”. This 1933 plan offered help to families “living on land who have arrangements for crop production which includes cash crops of the “basic commodity” class such as wheat and corn”. Crop loan applications were advertised, deadlines extended.
During this same period of time, gold was discovered in the San Juan Mountains surrounding the town. The discoveries brought an influx of men, some with their families, in search of their fortunes. This was an economic boon for the agricultural community. The dairy and ranch industries provided supplies to the miners. And though there is no evidence yet to support this supposition, wheat could have been in demand as well.
Another newspaper article stated that Mr. Grady Clampitt was anticipating a shipment of registered Marquis Wheat in April of 1935. Research of this particular wheat indicates that it grew well in Canada in conditions similar to the Mancos area.
At this period in time the railroad ran through Mancos. The grain elevator is about 4 miles from the location of the depot. Therefore, the grain didn’t have to be hauled very far for shipment.
Yet to be determined are the dates the grain elevator was used and for how long. It is presumed that once it was abandoned by Mr. Clampitt it was no longer used for grain storage. A descendant stated that Mr. Clampitt laid his land fallow (dates unknown) for three years and then planted wheat. It is unknown if this was the registered Marquis wheat. It was his good fortune and for whatever reason, he had a bumper crop that year, much greater than that of his neighbors. The crop was so great that Mr. Clampitt sold out, purchased a rental unit and retired to Mancos. He and his wife lived the remainder of their lives in Mancos.
The structure is 50 feet tall, constructed of 2x4’s laid flat. It had a tin roof, landing dock and basement. The basement is filled with rocks. It was painted bright red. The cleaner was manufactured by Master Cleaner (Model R-B) in Alma, Michigan.
Research of the Mancos Times-Tribune indicates times were tough for the residents of the small valley town. The government was offering incentives such as the “Rural Rehabilitation Program”. This 1933 plan offered help to families “living on land who have arrangements for crop production which includes cash crops of the “basic commodity” class such as wheat and corn”. Crop loan applications were advertised, deadlines extended.
During this same period of time, gold was discovered in the San Juan Mountains surrounding the town. The discoveries brought an influx of men, some with their families, in search of their fortunes. This was an economic boon for the agricultural community. The dairy and ranch industries provided supplies to the miners. And though there is no evidence yet to support this supposition, wheat could have been in demand as well.
Another newspaper article stated that Mr. Grady Clampitt was anticipating a shipment of registered Marquis Wheat in April of 1935. Research of this particular wheat indicates that it grew well in Canada in conditions similar to the Mancos area.
At this period in time the railroad ran through Mancos. The grain elevator is about 4 miles from the location of the depot. Therefore, the grain didn’t have to be hauled very far for shipment.
Yet to be determined are the dates the grain elevator was used and for how long. It is presumed that once it was abandoned by Mr. Clampitt it was no longer used for grain storage. A descendant stated that Mr. Clampitt laid his land fallow (dates unknown) for three years and then planted wheat. It is unknown if this was the registered Marquis wheat. It was his good fortune and for whatever reason, he had a bumper crop that year, much greater than that of his neighbors. The crop was so great that Mr. Clampitt sold out, purchased a rental unit and retired to Mancos. He and his wife lived the remainder of their lives in Mancos.