ALL ABOUT BRICKS

From 1848 through the end of the 19th century clay mining and making bricks from this clay was the central thrust of the economy which kept this neighborhood going, and which accounted for the growth of population and settlement.

Both mining and brick making continued into the 20th century, but mining was definitely waning and most mines were closed by the mid-1930s. Bricks continued to be made by Laclede Christy and Evens and Howard until near 1960, but in the whole of the 20th century both mining and brick making were secondary factors in the economy of Dogtown and were not much of an impetus for new people to settle in the area.

Nonetheless, the history of this area is DEEPLY indebted to the mining and brick making industry and their histories need to be told in some detail.

• Brick factories.  A chart listing the brick factories and connecting to histories of each factory.

• Bob Corbett's collection of Cheltenham / Dogtown bricks.   Fire bricks (bricks which withstand tremendous heat) were the main stay of the type of clay mined in this area. While there were only 10 or so factories, each of these made many different brands of brick. It was common in the past to have the name of the brick brand stamped on the brick itself. I have begun a collection of these bricks. Below is the list and notes on which I have and which not.