Found at Bo’ness, Firth of Forth.
This brick appears to be stamped Woodland.
If ‘Woodland’ then it may be American as per Woodland Firebrick – From 1880 to 1960, Clearfield County was the number one brick producer in the World. At its peak in 1916, there were 22 plants producing 1 million bricks per day. The first commercial brickworks in the county was in Woodland. In 1867, Isaac And Benjamin Reese built the No. 1 Hope Works with partners Thomas Hamend and John McMath. In 1870, the Woodland Fire Brick Company was also built There. In 1875, the two companies consolidated under one name – the Woodland Fire Brick Company, Ltd. In 1876, a fire destroyed much of Woodland, including the Hope Fire Brick Works, but the plant was quickly rebuilt. As the brickworks started to grow, so too did the coal and clay mines. The clay in the area produced superior quality fire bricks, also known as refractory bricks, which withstand higher temperature and are used extensively in the steel industry. This soon caught the Attention of the Harbison-Walker Company from Pittsburgh, who purchased the Woodland plants in 1884. The company quickly expanded production with over 7 plants in the county. In 1872, the production of the two Woodland plants was 8,000 bricks per month, and by 1884 they had increased production to 25,000 bricks per month. By 1887, Harbison-Walker was able to produce 9 million bricks a Year or 800,000 bricks per month within Clearfield County. In 1899, they continued to expand production by building the Clearfield Plant in East End for $125,000. It was the largest plant in the world at the time and could produce 16,000 bricks a day. In 1983, Harbison-Walker closed its last plant as the demand for refractory bricks had severely declined. In 2000, however, there were still two refractories operating within the county – Williamsgrove Clay Products in nearby Bigler which opened in 1902 and Swanks in Irvona.
Below – 1909 – And further evidence with regards to the Harbison Walker connection.
Many thanks to Charlie Terry for the following photographs and information. Charlie states – My great-grandfather worked at the Beaconsfield and Lefroy gold mines in Tasmania. He was an assayer. Some of the bricks are still in their original boxes and have been stored in a shed for decades. Below – An example of one…
This brick is in the possession of John Hicks, West Monroe, Louisiana, USA. John is uncertain where the Docken brick was found in the USA as he picked it up at a brick swap meeting. James Dougall & Sons Ltd, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. Alternative brickworks include: Bonnyside Brickworks, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. .
Found by Jeffrey Valli on the railroad tracks in Truro, Massachusetts, USA. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Found at Manuel Works, Whitecross by Ian Suddaby. This example is not in my possession The manufacturer of this checker is unknown although the find site would suggest it was made at the Manuel Works, Whitecross’ Scotland. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor…
Many thanks to Chris Lowe for the following information. Chris states the bricks were found in an old fireplace on his family’s property in Oregon, USA. There may be a thumbprint to the top right. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings…
Found by Len Baird in East Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA. Len states – I have found GartCraig brick pieces in East Lebanon, New Hampshire at the remains of a former slate mill from the mid-19th century. It is immediately adjacent to what used to be the Northern Railroad which came from Boston up through New…
Thanks to Mark Norstad for the following information. . Mark states – The ‘Heathery Knowe’ was found underneath an old house in Marin County, CA (near San Francisco). The age of the house is unknown. Below – Heathery Knowe Patent Glasgow – Heatheryknowe Fire Clay Works, Glasgow. (Note – SBH – Heathery Knowe appears to be…
03/11/1934 – Coatbridge Leader – Glenboig brick romance. Knocking about ocean bed for twenty years. A fireclay brick which was one of a consignment of 47,500, despatched twenty years ago by the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company made quite a romantic reappearance on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Company held in Glasgow. Mr Robert…
Found by John Lowe in Long Island, New York State, USA. J & M Craig, Perceton Fireclay Works, Dreghorn, Ayrshire. . . . .
Found by Chris Sakelarios in Redwood City, California, USA. Chris states – The brick is in a garden of a Victorian home built in 1857. It was occupied by John Offerman and his family from 1857 until their passing. It is still standing in Redwood City, California. I will be operating a specialty coffee house and saloon….
