The centre's goal is to preserve examples of old grain elevators to educate visitors about the town's, and Alberta's, agricultural history.

The southern elevator was built in 1929, gained a balloon annex in 1956, and was extensively remodeled in 1981.

The local "Save One" historical society was formed to preserve at least one of the elevators from demolition.

The restoration project replaced the railway tracks, and repainted the elevators in the Alberta Wheat Pool and Pioneer colours.

The smaller Nanton Seed Cleaning Co. elevator is on the row but not part of the centre.