Downtown Kewanee’s skyline is changing a little, as the original grain elevator building in the center of the city is being demolished.

The structure on North Chestnut Street at Lexington Avenue had stood for many years, going back to the days when every small town had an elevator that purchased crops grown in the surrounding fields.

Watching the demolition Monday was Mark Ebert, who had managed the elevator for 16 years in the past.

It was a bittersweet moment for Ebert, who in a way was sad to see the elevator go. But he was happy that in the elevator’s place will be a new feed mill, which will be the only such facility within miles of Kewanee.

The elevator complex north of the railroad tracks has gone through several ownerships through the years; Akron Services now owns it.

Ebert managed the facility for 16 years.

“A lot of people did a lot of business over the years” at the elevator, he said Monday.

During the elevator building’s lifetime Kewanee has seen severe storms including more than one tornado, as well as blizzards and a derecho.

“That elevator has withstood it all,” Ebert said.

He said the new feed mill will be “kind of a big deal.” It will offer livestock feed, as well as feed for rabbits and other animals.

Birdseed, which is in demand in the Kewanee area, will also be produced, Ebert said.