Remaining Templeton Feed & Grain tower crumbles to the ground

The moment has come for Templeton residents.

The gutted northern tower of the historic Templeton Feed and Grain has collapsed after days of demolition control following a massive fire that sparked late on the Fourth of July.

Now, all that remains is the original white concrete portion of the granary built in 1912, beside a massive pile of rubble.

With the help of the ABI Engineering Grading and Paving Underground demolition team, the tower was brought down in a similar manner to the southern tower on Monday.

The demolition team wrapped wires around the building to pull it down, erasing the 105-foot landmark from the town’s skyline.

The granary has been working out of Nature’s Touch Nursery and Harvest property on South Main Street since Monday.

Melanie Blankenship, owner of the nursery, said they opened the area for the family business to continue selling their products after they had been initially asked by fire crew to move from Fourth and Main Street.

“Templeton Feed & Grain is our identity,” Blankenship said.

It is unclear how long the cleanup for the demolition will take.

Rick Jermin, Templeton Feed & Grain co-owner, told The Tribune he would need to hire another demolition company to help clear all the debris from the site. Jermin also wants to keep the business at the original location.

“It could be short term, you know, and short term meaning about a year or two,” Jermin said.

Jermin has partnered with Penny Newman Co. to help continue manufacturing the company’s special feed products. He said they are also continuing to work to find a new space to sell from for the meantime.

This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 1:47 PM.