Porter's tallest building, standing prominently for over 100 years was reduced to rubble in the matter of hours.

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Smoke was reported to be seen coming out of the Porter Elevator Feed Mill between 6:30 and 6:45 AM on Sunday, March 27, 2011. By 7:00 AM the Elevator was completely engulfed in flames.

Fire Departments from Porter, Canby, St. Leo, Taunton and Marshall responded to prevent the blaze from spreading. The last standing "classic" elevator building in Porter (seen in the banner of this website) was reduced to rubble by 8:30 AM.

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At the end of the day the old Porter Elevator Feed Mill was completely destroyed. With it the Elevator's Feed Truck, which was stored in the elevator, was also a complete loss.

Porter was home to four traditional prairie grain elevators at one time playing a critical role in the growth of the community and getting area farmers' grain to market via the St. Peter and Winona Railway.

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The last remaining traditional elevator in Porter was still in use and operating as a feed mill, not far from it's original purpose when built over 100 years ago. Originally known as the "Eagle Roller" or "West" Elevator and Mill it is estimated that the original, tallest, part of the structure was built before 1905. It is believed that the well known "Porter's South Side" photograph from the 1890's was taken from atop for "Eagle Elevator". The Mill is shown in a photograph of the Porter Depot dated 1914 that appeared in the Porter Centennial newspaper. Proudly stated on the mill is "DEPENDABLE GOLD COIN FLOUR FOR SALE HERE" in bright white lettering on the side of the building.

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The Porter Elevator Mill Building appears in this 1914 Photograph in the background.