FINAL RIDE - RARE Vintage Chenoweth-Kern Hydraulic Elevator @ Lebaron Hall - ISU - Ames, IA

Here sits the end of elevator 3 at Lebaron Hall, ISU. This large building was orignally constructed in 1958, this was likely added in the 1970s or 1980s. The building also saw a large expansion in 1992. The original part from 1958 was torn down in October of 2024, meaning this elevator no longer exists. The other 4 the building has still remain for now. There was another similar vintage Chenoweth-Kern, which as of 2 months ago, was still working. There is 2 1992 Dovers that remain for now and a generic in an area that isn't being touched at all.

Enjoy my final few rides before the demolition. Everything appears original from when it was installed. I have seen part of the motor room, but I will save that footage for my full urbex of Lebaron which will appear on my main channel, APR2k, in the coming weeks. Its hydraulic and is a bit slow but runs great. It was very smooth both going up and down, the doors were nice and fast, it classic-levelled and just worked perfectly. The door closes right away when you press the button too, which I appreciate. Hopefully the other slightly less interesting one survives the renovation. That one has a fan, but is similar. Of course the better condition of the 2 had to go as well.

Chenoweth Kern are hard to find info about online. They were based in Iowa and did a few installs around ISU, Ames and Des Moines. Most of their work and history has been modernized away, and here we see another piece of history go. I am quite impressed it survived modernization all those years.

If I lived in Ames I would of attempted to get parts. Too far away to take a guess at when I could of even asked for them. If I ever see any of its parts at the surplus store there I visit every once in awhile, I will buy.