The concrete tower was erected in the 1960s to serve local farmers, but it stopped handling grain in 2006.

Duane Kirstein, a farmer from the area, bought the idle structure and invested roughly $50,000 in repairs, including a new roof and repainting. He now says the ongoing maintenance costs are beyond his means.

Kirstein has listed the elevator for sale, but the town of Raymore has refused to purchase it. He has said he would be ready to donate the building to a historical society if anyone shows interest.

The elevator sits on land leased from Canadian National Railway. Because of that lease, if no buyer or donor steps forward, Kirstein would have to cover the expense of demolishing the tower.

The silo can store between 180,000 and 200,000 bushels of grain. Dianne Eckel, secretary‑treasurer of the Raymore Pioneer Museum, describes the elevator as a piece of real historical significance for the community.

The situation highlights how economic pressures, high upkeep costs, and shifting town priorities can threaten iconic prairie landmarks, even when they hold strong cultural value.