The Elevator was first opened in the 1870s. Sinclair Finch and Clyde Stump were the original owners of the business. (The former Stump residence is located on North Avenue next to the Tiffany, Young and Hauss funeral home - the Stone 3-Story house.) The Elevator was built at the railroad tracks for transportation purposes, which encouraged other businesses to locate at the depot. On the grounds of where the Elevator is now, there were stockyards and a barrel factory.
The Armada Elevator would ship many white navy beans in from farmers via the railroad in the early fall. The Elevator Company employed local women to sort and bag the beans in 100-pound sacks, to ensure the highest quality. Their slogan became "Choice, hand-picked beans". The beans were shipped out on the railroad trains to the east coast and down south to markets. The Elevator later expanded into the grain market.
The Hollweg family acquired the Armada Elevator in 1963, and have owned and operated it since that time. They currently buy and sell grain, as well as produce and sell Armada Brand pet food and animal feed.
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