Pages 4 and 4A of the Tillotson construction record document a stretch in 1949 when the Tillotson Construction Co. showed its stuff as an experienced builder of reinforced-concrete grain elevators, producing 2,423,200 bushels of new capacity. 

These pages give detailed specifications of jobs at a range of locations from Hooker, Okla. to Dalhart, Tex. They show Tillotson was particularly busy in Iowa, building at 11 locations there. Besides Iowa, there were commissions in Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

Here’s the complete list of locations: Hooker, Okla.; Paulinna, Iowa; Hordville, Nebr.; Churdan, Iowa; Glidden, Iowa; Dike, Iowa; Randall, Iowa; West Bend, Iowa; Sanborn, Iowa; Gilmore City, Iowa; Montevideo, Minn.; Pocahontas, Iowa; Jackson, Minn.; Pierson, Iowa; Clare, Iowa; Dalhart, Tex. 

Jobs ranged from 50,000 bushels at Paulinna – a commission labeled “elevator only” – to a single-leg house of 310,000 bushels at the enduringly important location of Dalhart. 

Jim Hamman contributed the exquisite black-and-white photo of Paulinna seen at top. Built on the Minatare, Nebr. plan of 1941, it had two tanks measuring 15.5 feet in diameter and reaching 85 feet in height.

Despite the “elevator only” notation, the Paulinna listing includes another note: “Whse 32’x50’ 120 cu yd.” We interpret this to mean a warehouse for flat storage was built in addition to the elevator, and its construction required the additional 120 cubic yards of concrete. 

A note on Glidden is hard to decipher: “Cups @ 12” O.C. @ Glidden “Job Error.”