HUDSON RIVER & NEW ENGLAND BRICK COLLECTION and IDENTIFIER:
A-L

A collection of Hudson River & New England Brick with a brief history of the yards and towns where they were made.

(WEBMASTER NOTE: This is in no way meant to be an authoritative resource for the identity of brick brands. Rather, these are our "best guesses" from perusing city directories, conducting comparative analysis, going on field trips and researching material in publications and on the Internet. Much credit is due Jim Graves of the I.B.C.A for his exhaustive work on "Brick Brands of the United States." Other sources consulted are noted in various section of the web site. Input from you, our web visitors, and other collectors is always welcome.)


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Aldridge Brick Company

A B C

ALDRIDGE
Thomas Aldridge
Dutchess Junction, NY (1899, 1905) 10 machines
(found at the brickyard site)

From Fred Rieck: "The "A.E.A." brickmark "ties" into Aaron E. Aldridge, a brick manufacturer located in Dutchess Junction. A.E.A. is listed in city directories as early as 1887. I can't tell you just when the A.E.A. marked brick actually came into production. A later, 1896 directory entry lists Aaron as being affiliated with Aldridge Brothers (a/k/a Aldridge Brothers & Company), also brick manufacturers - the brother likely being George L. Aldridge. Aldridge Bros. Co. is listed as early as 1890

Bricks marked A.B.C (the letter C having a unique segmented form), have been found comingled with ALDRIDGE scrap. There are several manufacturers that marked their brick with "A B C" making it difficult to ID them with out seeing the them."

==========

"Daniel Aldridge resided in Mudhole, NY (which is now known as Roseton, NY). Daniel is thought to have moved to Newburgh, NY, sometime between 1810 and 1817, due to the fact that his wife was from there. One of his sons was Thomas Aldridge born in 1818 and died August, 1892. Thomas bought a farm near Fishkill Landing, NY in the fall of 1853 which later became the 'ABC' (Aldridge Brothers & Company) Brickyard in Dutchess Junction, NY." (SOURCE: Steven Blair Aldridge Family Home Page)

Thomas' son Aaron Ennis Aldridge was born on January 19, 1851 in Balmville, near Newburgh, NY. He worked with his father at the Dutchess Junction brickyard and when his father moved to Chelsea, Aaron took over. He became one of the leading figures in the brick industry, was president of the Thomas Aldridge Brick and Land Company and also served as vice-president of the Greater New York Brick Company. He was prominent as a manufacturer and still more so as a selling agent in New York City where he had offices in the Times Square Building. From there he handled the output of many yards along the river. He was recognized throughout the country as an authority on brick making and the brick market. He died in 1925 in Beacon, NY. (SOURCE: Sullivan, James, History of New York State, 1523-1927, [Vol. 6] 1873-1931.)

==========

From Sloops of The Hudson, by: William E. Verplanck and Moses W. Collyer, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York & London, 1908:
"Among the sloops of Fishkill on Newburgh bay were the Commodore Jones, and the New Jersey, which were owned by the late Thomas Aldridge, who had extensive brickyards at Dutchess Junction."

==========

For Our New DUTCHESS JUNCTION Page:
CLICK HERE






Otis Allen & George H. Terwilliger

A & T
Poughkeepsie, NY
(found in landfill along Rte 9W, Milton, NY)

From Fred Rieck: In a 1929 Poughkeepsie city directory, George H. Terwilliger is listed as Sup't. and Otis A. Allen as Treasurer of the newly formed Poughkeepsie Brick Corp (PB CORP), located on Van Wagner Road nr. NYNH & HRR in Arlington. Poughkeepsie Brick Corp. is about the last yard to operate on "Brickyard Hill." The directory lists the principals as Walter J. Travis (pres); W.N. Wetterau (V. P.) and John B.Vanderwater (Sec'y). J.B. Vandewater is also listed as an "Attorney-at-Law,"

More information on
Poughkeepsie brickmaking.




Brewster J. Allison & Co.

B J A & Co
Grassy Point, (Haverstraw) NY (1876) 6 machines
(found in Haverstraw Bay by Amanda Bayley)

In 1883, Brewster J. Allison owned a brickyard in Haverstraw and produced 9,000,000 brick with 6 machines, employing 80 men. He leased the land from George S. Allison.(History of Rockland County, J.B. Beers & Co., 1884)

On Jan 17, 1903 a brick census (inventory) was taken and Brewster J. Allison & Co. had 65 Arches with 2,800,000 brick on hand. (Rockland County Messenger, Jan 22, 1903)

==========

From The History of New York State, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1927, Biographies, Part 6:

Brewster J. Allison was born July 5, 1821. He attended the Stony Point District School and the Peekskill Military Academy, where he took up the study of surveying. After graduating from Peekskill Academy, for the first few years he engaged solely in engineering, but later became interested in farming and the manufacture of brick, and owned extensive property interests in the town of Stony Point. There were no incorporated villages in the town, but there were, however, several centers of population, called variously villages, "corners" or hamlets. Largest of these was Stony Point, which lies close to the southern boundary of the town. The large Allison homestead, built in 1821, is now occupied by Mr. Allison's son, Ralph D. Allison. Perhaps the oldest house in this village, known for many decades as the Alexander Waldron place, is owned and occupied by Mr. Allison's daughter, Mrs. Frances Bontecou. The construction of this home antedates the Revolution, and the house, like the town, figured in the history of that war. About 1850, twenty years before the place then known as Florus Falls became the village of Stony Point, one Theodore Smith caused his farm to be surveyed in village lots and blocks, and called it the village of Brewsterville, after his wife's family name. So is the name Brewster perpetuated; and the name Tomkins, likewise, in Tomkins Cove.

Brewster J. Allison was one of the outstanding men of his time in county and town. He held many town offices, served on State committees on roads and bridges and towns and villages, was a member of the town school board, town superintendent of schools from 1848 to 1853, and was member of the Legislature, in 1850. Brewster J. Allison was a communicant of the Presbyterian Church, and for a long period as elder. He was a generous, talented, friendly man, beloved of his associates in business and society; and his loss was widely and sincerely regretted.




American Brick Co.

AMERICAN
Origin unsure:
There was an American Brick Co. incorporated in Manhattan, NY in 1920.
We found a stock certificate dated 1928 for American Brick Co. in Massachusetts.
In "Brick Brands of the United States" Jim Graves lists an American Brick Co. in Scranton, PA.

(found by Jason in The Bronx, NY)





Arrow Brick Co.

ARROW
Danskammer Point, NY

In 1905 this brickyard was operated by David Maitland Armstrong. In its first year, it produced 5 million brick.

==========

In conjunction with our sister-site HudsonRiverHistory.com we have completed a new webpage:

A BRIEF HISTORY of ROSETON and DANSKAMMER POINT, NY

Here you will find a compilation of our research on the brickyards in this area (ROSE, JOVA and ARROW).





Atlas Brick Co.

ATLAS
Hudson, NY (1905)
(found at the brickyard site)

Special to The New York Times.
September 4, 1910, Sunday
HUDSON, N.Y., Sept 3. -- Springing out of the woods which border the private road leading into the Atlas Brick Company's works, two miles south of Hudson, masked highwaymen to-day shot and mortally wounded Denton Fowler, 3d, killed George Ragsdale, the driver of the buggy in which Fowler was riding, and escaped with a satchel containing $5,000, intended for paying off the employes of the works.

To read the full article, Click Here.

==========

From the 1910-1911 Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University:

"DENTON FOWLER, son of Everett Fowler, a brick manufacturer and bank president of Haverstraw, N Y , was born in that place July 28, 1885. His mother was Anna (Dennison) Fowler. He was prepared for college in the Lawrenceville (N J ) Schools. He was a member of the class of 1908 during Freshman year, but joined 1909 at the beginning of Sophomore year. He was a member of the University Glee Club, and of the Class Day committee at graduation. After finishing his college course he entered the employ of the Atlas Brick Co, of Hudson, N Y, of which his father was an officer, and later was appointed paymaster. As he was driving through the woods two miles south of Hudson, carrying a large sum of money to pay the employees of the company, Mr Fowler was attacked and shot by five highwaymen, others acting as signal men, and died two hours later at the Hudson Hospital, September 3,. 1910. He was 25 years of age and unmarried. He was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church of Haverstraw."




Bartlett Brick Co.

BARTLETT

Bartlett Bros.

B B
Hudson, NY
found at the brickyard site (along with ATLAS and *DK*)

Fred Rieck writes:

The Bartlett Brothers are Fred W. Bartlett and George C. Bartlett. ... listed in the Hudson City Directory from 1897 to about 1909. Atlas Brick Co. debuted in 1910. Bartlett Bros. is no longer listed that year (1910). During their tenure, B B had two varieties of B B (the second being B B with serif letters). They also made a reverse lettered BARTLETT and a "correctly" written BARTLETT. I have only seen two of the reverse lettered ones.





BelleIsle Brick Works
or
Beacon Brick Works

BBWKS

BelleIsle Brick Works
Joseph Belle Isle
Brockway NY 5 machines
or
Beacon Brick Works
Fishkill Landing, NY (1890)
For more information (and speculation)
Click Here.





Edward D. Bellefuille

EDB
George's Island, (Montrose) NY
(this was a hard one to ID -
- thanks to Fred Rieck for this one!)

Here is an 1891 map of the Montrose/Verplanck/Crugers area by F. W. Biers showing Bellefuille's 65 acre parcel and his Brick Yards. The site is now George's Island Park. Here's a photo. In our research, we have come upon alternate spellings of the name: Bellefeulle and Bellefeuille.

Photos of George's Island today.





Berlin Brick Company

B B Co
Berlin, CT

(found in Newtown, CT by Nancy Nouss-Brown)

Berlin Brick display
Display at the Berlin Historical Society Museum,
305 Main St., Berlin, CT

From a museum brochure: "The museum houses a brick display with bricks, brick molds, signs and terra cotta pieces from Berlin’s many brick manufacturers. Berlin was prominent in the brick market even as late as the 1960’s."

In 1942, Cornelius P. Dunham established the first brickyard in Berlin, CT. Because the clay in Berlin was so perfect for brick making, the business continued for a little over 120 years. Berlin was known throughout the northeast for brick making. The salary for an average worker was 1-2 dollars every 10 hours. Over 90,000 bricks were produced each day with as many as 90 men and women working together. In 1910, Berlin had about 11 brickyards, and yearly produced about 102,500,000 bricks.

The Great Depression ended the building construction. The last brickyard to close was a flower pot company which didn't last too long. The electric shovel arm is still visible in an old clay pit on Route 72. The hole was bought by John Carbo who had a company on Christian Lane. John Carbo didn't make enough money for electricity for the electric shovel so it was never used and abandoned. Clay has made a long way in the town of Berlin, but it had to end sometime, but overall it was very successful.

Source: http://mcgee.berlinschools.org/berlin/industry1.htm

Other brickyards in Berlin, CT include:
Donnelly (DON.BCo), Charles P. Merwin (MERWIN) and Stiles & Reynolds (S & R).




Brigham Brick Co.

BRIGHAM

Henry R. Brigham
East Kingston, NY
(1922 - 1957) (9 machines in 1910)
(found in Riverdale, NY and at the brickyard site)



Brigham Brothers

B BROS
Henry R. and William H.
East Kingston, NY
(1888 - 1910)

For our special BRIGHAM Page with a brief history and pix of the site Click Here






Brockway Brick Co.

BROCKWAY

Brockway (Fishkill Landing), NY (1899)
(Fishkill Landing was a village in the Town of Fishkill until 1914 when it was incorporated into the City of Beacon.)

In 1883, Edwin Brockway owned a brickyard in Haverstraw and produced 5,500,000 brick with 3 machines, employing 50 men. He leased the land from Washburn, Worall & Palmer.(History of Rockland County, J.B. Beers & Co., 1884)

==========

A note from Shirley Burris: "The Brockway Brick Company was founded by Edwin Brockway, my great, great grandfather, who bought the property and moved his family from Haverstraw. Following his death, his children, Charles LaRue Brockway, Frank, Fannie and I think there was another, inherited the property. My Grandmother, Esther Lydia Brockway Lewis and her siblings were born in the "big house" on the property."

For a great web page on the Brockway Brick Yard, Click here.




Patrick Brophy

BROPHY
from the Andy Van Der Poel Collection
Grassy Point (Haverstraw), NY
(1888 - 1903)

BROPHY BARGE
Photo courtesy Haverstraw Brick Museum





W.D. Budd Brick Co.

W D B

BUDD
Dutchess Junction, NY
(1888 - 1910)
(found in Cold Spring, NY)






Cary Brick Company

CARY
In "Brick Brands of the United States" Jim Graves lists The Cary Brick Co. with yards in Newtown Hook, Cohoes and Albany, NY. He states that the CARY brick with the CBMA symbol (as pictured above) came from the Albany yard.
(CBMA= "Common Brick Manufacturers Association.")

==========

From "The History of New York State Biographies," Part 21, Editor, Dr. James Sullivan ,Online Edition by Holice, Deb & Pam:
William L. Howland was born in Mechanicsville, November 28, 1864.... Mr. Howland is treasurer of the Cary Brick Company, and has been its general manger since 1924; is president of the Mechanicsville Associates; president of the Mechanicsville Improvement Company; president of the Half-Moon Light, Heat & Power Company; vice-president of the Brick Homes Company of New York City; director of the Mechanicsville Co-operative Savings & Loan Association; and a director of the Common Brick Manufacturers' Association of America.




Champlain Brick Company

CBCo
Mechanicville, NY

Found along with LENOX in the remains of the Boyce Thompson Institute,
and at Alder Manor, both in Yonkers, NY

Dr. Paul Loatman, Jr., City Historian of Mechanicville, NY wrote:
"Today, there are few vestiges of this once flourishing industry other than one of the original yards of the Champlain Brick Co. opened in 1897, and a water pipe connecting the city water mains with the old Ferris-Duffney yards dating back to the beginning of this century." (SOURCE: www.mechanicville.com/history/articles/yellowbrickroad.htm)

From The Mechanicville and Stillwater Directory, 1911:
Duffney Brick Co., New Road to Stillwater,
William H. Duffney, Mgr.
William H. Duffney, Jr., Supt.
Miles J. Duffney, Supt., Champlain Brick Co.
(Source: http://www.photoshow.net/nostalgia/mechanicville__ny_detail)


From the New York Times Obituaries and News Articles Index, February 10, 1929:
GRIFFIN, Alderman Died on Feb. 8, 1929, Age 70, Albany, N. Y. Lawyer, and president of Champlain Brick Co., of Mechanicville.
(Source: http://www.genealogybuff.com/nytimes/1929_feb_10.htm)

Article on Mechanicville Brick Industry




Christie & McCabe

C&MC
Haverstraw, NY
(1883 - 1889)

In 1883, Christie & McCabe owned a brickyard in Haverstraw and produced 8,000,000 brick with 4 machines, employing 50 men. They leased the land from Daniel De Noyelles & Co.(History of Rockland County, J.B. Beers & Co., 1884)




E. L. COOK

C

COOK/CBMA
(with CBMA--Common Brick Manufacturers Association--symbols)
(found in Provincetown on Cape Cod, MA)

COOK
(note the crenulated lettering)
Bridgewater and State Farm, MA
(1895-1932)

found in Cataumet (Cape Cod), MA by Tom Kingman, Pocasset MA

Tom writes:
The Cook brick was found in October, 2008 in the demolition pile of a chimney of an old seasonal home built between 1878 and 1932. Both W. Barnstable and Cook brick were used in the chimney with fireplaces on both first and second floors. The second floor bricks were W. Barnstable brick and joined with a fine red cement while the first floor brick were Cook brick joined with a white cement. Both cements were exceptionally weak and just turned to powder. The majority of white cemented brick were not embossed or stamped with the Cook name. A good guess would be that there was one Cook embossed brick for every 100 non-embossed white cemented bricks. This is about the same frequency as embossed to non-embossed W. Barnstable red-cemented ones.

COOK AD
(from an ad in "The Bridgewater Book," 1899)
The small print:
"Member of Master Builders' Exchange, 166 Devonshire Street, Boston.
Office and Works : Five minutes' walk south of Titicut Station. Post-office : State Farm, Mass."

==========

From a listing of brick mfgr's for MA:
C.B. Cook - Adams, MA
C.B. Cook - North Adams, MA 1879
E.L. Cook - State Farm, MA 1895 - 1908
E.L. Cook - Bridgwater, MA 1909 - 1917
E.L. Cook - State Farm, MA 1920 - 1932
(SOURCE: Jim Graves)

==========

A Brief History of Brickmaking in Bridgewater, MA:

"Joseph Loucraft and his son Joseph-Michael, ran a brick manufacturers in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. East Bridgewater is primarily a residential community centrally located in Plymouth County 14 miles northeast of Taunton, 22 miles northwest of Plymouth, 25 miles southeast of Boston, and 207 miles from New York City.

First settled in 1630 as an outgrowth of the Plimoth and Duxbury plantation, the Town of East Bridgewater was an early industrial inland town located on the northern portion of the Taunton River system. Its early economy was based on agriculture but the community did have both grist and sawmills, iron forges and tanneries. The late 19th and early 20th century saw residential development along the trolley lines in the community.The Loucraft brickyard covered the area known in the 1600’s as the Devil’s Hop Yard, where early settlers had their homes. Joseph and his son razed about 10-12 feet of the area to extract clay for bricks. And they ran a boarding house, too, for lots of their Canadian labourers."
(SOURCE: http://www.lucraft.org/2005/10/quebecois-family.html)

==========

Bridgewater Brickyard Burned
The NY Times, July 2, 1898

==========

Brick production was Bridgewater's most prominent industry, and still is to this day. Established in 1886 and now with over 100 years of experience, the Stiles and Hart Brick Company remains the only brick manufacturer in Massachusetts.

The Stiles and Hart Conservation Area has the remains of the original brick factory as well as many piles of bricks scattered throughout the property. This 75-acre site was an agricultural fairground with a grand exhibition hall from c1820- 1875. In 1895, a local teacher, Mr. William Basset, Sr., purchased the land and founded the Bridgewater Brick Company. The company mined clay and produced bricks on the site. In 1913, Stiles & Hart Brick Company purchased the operation. Due damage to buildings in the hurricane of 1938, brick production ceased, but clay mining continued until after World War II. The site has been recommended as a National Register District by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

The Cook Brick Company was located at the end of Cook Street (#127) in the south end of town. Today it is run by the Stiles and Heart Brick Company and is the last operational brick company in Massachusetts. It is interesting to note that Stiles & Hart purchased the machinery of the defunct West Barnstable Brick Co on Cape Cod.

History of the Stiles and Hart Brick Company

Stiles and Hart in Our Collection

SOURCES:
The Whelden Library
Answers.com: Bridgewater
The Natural Resources Trust of Bridgewater
Lucraft and Luckraft One-name Study: A Quebecois Family
DylanStiles.com




Dennings Point Brick Co.
Dennings Point Brick Works

DPBW

(found by Bill in St. James, NY)

DPBW
Fishkill (Dennings Point), NY
(1888 - 1929) (first registered as McLean & Co.)
(found at the brickyard site)

Homer Ramsdell, 10 machines in 1906

From the History of Beacon, Dutchess County, New York:

1880: workmen discovered immense deposits of clay at Denning’s Point. Newburgh's Homer Ramsdell bought the Point for the site of his new brickyard, thereby taking advantage of the clay deposits and the plentiful sand.

1890: Emily Denning Van Rensselaer’s daughter Emily left the Denning mansion. Brick workers’ families moved into the mansion.

1920s: the Denning mansion was in ruins, but the brickyards were in their heyday under the management of David Strickland.

1939: the Denning’s Point Brick Works pulled out of their original home and moved a few miles north to Brockway to find new sources of clay.

Today, one can still find bricks with "DPBW" (Denning’s Point Brick Works) imprinted on them.

(Source: Robert J. Murphy and Denise Doring Van Buren. 2003. Images of America: Beacon Revisited. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press..)
(http://www.nynjctbotany.org/lgtofc/beacontown.html):

For our special DENNINGS POINT Page Click Here






DeNoyelles Brick Company

DeNBCo
DeN
DeN
Haverstraw, NY
(1870 - 1929) (13 machines in 1906)
(found in Teaneck, NJ, and Haverstraw, NY)

Within These Gates written by Daniel deNoyelles details the history of brickmaking and the Hudson Valley brick industry. (Reprinted with permission of the DeNoyelles family for the benefit of the Haverstraw Brick Museum.)

Feature Page on Haverstraw, NY




Thomas Dinan

DINAN
Fishkill/Ulster Landing, NY
(1886 - 1900)

(found in Spuyten Duyvil Shoreline Park, Bronx, NY)




Donnelly Brick Co.

DON.BCo
Berlin, CT
(1898 - 1963)
also
New Britain Road,
Kensington, CT
(thanks to Ron Rose for this info)

(found in Peekskill, Brewster and Patterson, NY)





Duffney Brick Co.

DB&Co
Mechanicville, NY
(1910 - 1926)
(thanks to Fred Rieck for this ID and to Jim Graves for researching the dates of operation)

EPBCP
"City of Mechanicvile - The Brickyard."
Credit: http://www.co.saratoga.ny.us/cc/twww/Mechanicville.html

"By the turn of the century, the Hudson Valley had become the center of the brick industry, with Mechanicville one of the leading production sites. Within a decade, six new companies (the Cory, Halfmoon, Stuyvesant, Hudson Valley, and Duffney firms) opened kilns, taking advantage of the demand for building and paving bricks in New York, Boston, and other population centers easily accessible because of Mechanicville's rail and canal connections.

"Today, there are few vestiges of this once flourishing industry other than one of the original yards of the Champlain Brick Co. opened in 1897, and a water pipe connecting the city water mains with the old Ferris-Duffney yards dating back to the beginning of this century." (www.mechanicville.com/history/articles/yellowbrickroad.htm)



From The Mechanicville and Stillwater Directory, 1911:

Duffney Brick Co., New Road to Stillwater,
William H. Duffney, Mgr.
William H. Duffney, Jr., Supt.
Miles J. Duffney, Supt., Champlain Brick Co.
Credit: http://www.photoshow.net/nostalgia/mechanicville__ny_detail


Article on Mechanicville Brick Industry




East Shore Brick Co.

ESBCo
Verplank's Point (Verplanck), NY
(1905 - 1910)





Eastern Paving Brick Co.

E.P.B.CO.
Catskill, NY
(1895 - 1901)

There had been a big polution problem arising from the smoke stacks that had the local people "smoking." The plant was shut down in about 1901 for reason the "market bottomed out"... for a period of about five years, resuming operation in about 1906. Air pollution continued, and so did people's complaints. The chimneys were subsequently heightened around 1910 in an attempt to mitigate the problem. By 1912 production declined again.(Thanks to Fred Rieck for this info.)

On July 29, 1899, NY Governor Theodore Roosevelt signed an order to "Abate Nuisance, Matter of Eastern Paving Brick Co." To see the complete order, Click Here.




Empire Brick Co.

EMPIRE
Glasco, Newton Hook, and Stockport, NY,
8 machines at Glasco in 1910

(Found found at demolition site:
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center,
998 Crooked Hill Road,
West Brentwood, NY,
September, 2007
Thanks to Bill from St. James, NY for telling us about this location.)

George Hutton in The Great Hudson River Brick Industry, states that Empire was forced out of business before 1940 due to exhaustion of clay resources in the Stockport area. The plant had undergone a thorough modernization in 1926 including new overhead cranes to load brick onto river barges.




Excelsior Brick Company

(Diamond)
George H. Smith, Ira M. Hedges, Everett Fowler and Uriah F. Washburn
Haverstraw, NY (1890) 13 machines

From: Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York, Chapman Publishing Co., 1895:

EVERETT FOWLER. The brick business is one of the principal industries of Rockland County, and the men who have engaged in it have almost invariably gained success. As a representative of this class mention should be made of Everett Fowler, who is superintendent of the Excelsior Brick Company and of D. Fowler & Son. The former concern has a capacity of sixteen million of brick and gives employment to eighty or ninety men, while the latter company employs seventy or eighty men, with a capacity in its output of twelve million.

In the village of Haverstraw, where he still resides, Mr. Fowler was born December 26, 1854, and in the schools of this place obtained a fair business education; he afterwards attended, and was graduated from, the Thirty-fifth Street Grammar School in New York. At the age of eighteen he became bookkeeper for his father, and three years later he began in business for himself, opening a brickyard near his present location. After four years there, in 1880, he became a member of the firm of D. Fowler & Son, and has since managed the valuable plant of this company. When the Excelsior yards were purchased, he became a partner in the enterprise, of which he is now superintendent. His entire attention from early youth has been devoted to the manufacture of brick, and he has been unusually successful in this occupation. He has made a study of the business, and at different times has visited nearly all the brickyards in the United States, gaining from a close observation of their methods practical ideas for the management of his own yards.

In April, 1880, Mr. Fowler married Miss Anna S. Denison, granddaughter of Major Suffern, and a daughter of P. and Anna (Suffern) Denison. Four children were born to our subject and wife: John E.; Catherine; Denison, who died at the age of four years; and Denton. Mrs. Fowler is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. Freeman is pastor. In social circles Mr. Fowler is highly esteemed, and he is one of the active members of the Bicycle Club.

See Also: DENTON FOWLER.




William F. Felter (?)

W.F.F.
Haverstraw, NY (1876?)

In 1883, Felter Brothers owned a brickyard in Haverstraw and produced 14,000,000 brick with 9 machines, employing 100 men. They leased the land from Adam Lilburn.(History of Rockland County, J.B. Beers & Co., 1884)




Ferris Paving Brick Co.

F.P.B.Co.
Mechanicville, NY
(found in landfill, Kingston, NY)

See also Duffney Brick Co. (above).





Fiske & Co., Inc

TAPESTRY

Jonathan Parker B. Fiske,
Massachusetts
and
Fiske & Co., Inc
1732 Flatiron Building,
New York, NY

"Promoters and Designers of Artistic Brickwork"
"Sole Manufacturers of Tapestry Brick"

(found at the Metro North RR Station, Yonkers, NY)

Fiske Tapestry Ad from 1910




Denton Fowler & Sons

D F & S

Haverstraw, NY (1880) 5 machines

In 1883, Denton Fowler & Sons owned a brickyard in Haverstraw and produced 9,300,000 brick with 5 machines, employing 80 men. They also owned the land.(History of Rockland County, J.B. Beers & Co., 1884)

DENTON FOWLER BIO




Eugene Frost

FROST
FROST
Montrose, NY (1905)

Croton, NY (1905 - 1910)

At Croton, Eugene Frost also used the brand mark: EF.




M. B. & L. B. Gardner

GARDNER
(found in Hackensack, NJ by Ken Findlay, Findlay Landscaping LLC)

MB&LBG
Hackensack, NJ (1901 - 1915)





Theodore F. Gardner

T F G
E. Kingston, NY
(found among KB&ICo (Dwyer Bros.) just north of Steep Rocks)

Theodore F. Gardner, Kingston, is listed on page 28 of
"New York State Mining and Quarry Industries" 1919-24
Thanks to Andy van der Poel for this ID!




Gardner, Gardner & Gardner

or

Goldrick, Goldrick, Goldrick

G & SON
Haverstraw., NY (1877)
or
Ulster, NY (1922)
(found at Charles Rider Park, Ulster, NY)

In "Brick Brands of the United States" Jim Graves lists this as being Gardner, Gardner & Gardner but many G G G bricks have been found at or close to the site of the Goldrick Lower Yard. Thus we think the G's may stand for Philip, Thomas and Merton Goldrick.

The History of New York State Biographies, states: "In 1922 the name of the company was changed to that of Philip Goldrick & Sons, and Mr. Goldrick, who is the last survivor of the original brick manufacturers on the Hudson, continues as head of the concern, while his son, Thomas Goldrick, acts as production manager, and another son, Merton Goldrick, is in charge of sales and finance"

A comment from Fred Rieck: "Perhaps the GGG's were mixed in stock that was transported from Haverstraw to the Goldrick's Landing/Rider Park area when Goldrick moved his entire operation out of Haverstraw in 1906." For much more info see GOLDRICK (below).




Garner Brick Works, Garner & Co.

GARNER
Haverstraw., NY
Garner operated Yard #17 in Haverstraw between 1903 and the late 1920s.
The brick census in 1910 lists them as having 6 machines in 1910
(found in NJ by Ken Findlay, Findlay Landscaping LLC)

Garner Clay Bank and Industrial Railroad
Garner Clay Bank and Industrial Railroad (1909)*

"The Garner yards extend along the river bank 740 ft. Not only is the Garner-yards' product of a high quality, but it is claimed that the brick at these yards are manufactured at a less cost, owing to the modern features of equipment. The two principal features are the oil-fuel system and the narrow-gage Kopple railway for conveying the raw material from the clay bank. This system includes nearly 5.000 ft. of track, 20-lb. rail being used. By means of turntables, cars can be cut out from the main track, switched off and emptied directly into the pit. The cars are of steel and each holds 36 cu. ft. They weigh when empty 900 lbs. each, and when tilled some 6,300 lbs., so that a train of three full cars would have a weight of about 19,000 lbs. Gravity is used for handling them to a large extent. It is estimated that each of these trains would represent the work of four mules and four men, or a saving of about 70 per cent in the cost of transportation.

"The clay of the Garner yards is of a high quality and is taken from a bank 40 ft. in height, on which is an overburden of about 10 ft. in thickness. It is calculated that the clay deposit will last these yards for another century The output of the Garner yards is over 20 million brick per year.

"In the use of oil for burning, the Garner yards have taken a very progressive step in brick manufacture, and they have found the innovation of great economy and value. A tank on the river bank, holding 47,000 gals, of crude oil. is kept filled by the Standard Oil Co., who pump the oil into it from barges provided for the purpose. In burning the oil a small quantity of soft coal is used to start the fire, and the oil fuel is then introduced into the arches. in the form of a vapor, by means of a Sturtevant blower. These yards have been using oil for fuel since 1898, which ought to be proof of the success of this method."*

*FROM: BRICK, A Monthly Record of the World's Progress in Clayworking, JANUARY, 1910 Number 1, PUBLISHED BY Kenjield-Leach Co., 45-47 Plymouth Court, Chicago






Glen-Gery Brick

GLEN-GERY

GG
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania (1890)
Still in business today

About Glen-Gery
History of Glen-Gery

Glen-Gery Brick Co





Philip Goldrick

GOLDRICK
Grassy Point (Haverstraw., NY) (1887), Kingston (Ulster), NY (1906),
Saugerties, NY (5 machines in 1910)

(found at Charles Rider Park, Ulster, NY just south of where Goldrick's Landing was located)

=In 1883, Mally & Goldrick operated a Yard #38 in Haverstraw and produced 4,600,000 brick with 2 machines, employing 40 men. They leased the land from Adam Liburn.
(History of Rockland County, J.B. Beers & Co., 1884)

=In 1887 Philip Goldrick operated Yard #39 in Haverstraw. Yard #38 was operated by Johnson & Meyers and Clark & Goldrick.
In 1896 Philip Goldrick operated Yard #10 which was owned by M.A. Archer.
(Source: Haverstraw Brick Museum)

=On Jan 17, 1903 a brick census (inventory) was taken in the Haverstraw area and Philip Goldrick had 30 Arches with 1,400,000 brick on hand.
(Rockland County Messenger, Jan 22, 1903)

=Goldrick was patentee of a Roof for Drying Sheds

=From: The History of New York State Biographies, Part 12
Editor, Dr. James Sullivan, Online Edition by Holice, Deb & Pam:

A leader in the commercial and civic life of Kingston and vicinity, Philip Goldrick is one of the pioneer manufacturers who inaugurated the industry of brick-making in the Hudson River Valley, an industry which has been one of the principal factors in the material development of this district. Mr. Goldrick removed his entire organization to Kingston in 1906, and established the thriving settlement of Goldrick's Landing (town of Ulster), erecting his factories and brickyards, which produce thirty million bricks per year. He built homes accommodating two hundred and fifty employees, all houses of the most modern and improved design and equipment, opened mercantile stores and built a beautiful and impressive Roman Catholic church; in every conceivable manner, taking the deepest interest in the welfare and progress of his employees and the residents of the locality. His remarkable planning and foresight have made this a model community, whose inhabitants are noted for their industrious qualities and the intelligent and active interest which they display in issues concerning town or commonwealth.

Mr. Goldrick was born in Haverstraw, October 22, 1850, son of John and Rose Goldrick, both of whom were born and married in Ireland. John Goldrick came to the United States early in life and became superintendent of construction in the employ of some of the large brick factories of this section.

Philip Goldrick was educated in the public schools of Stony Point, and after the completion of his formal education, followed in his father's footsteps and entered the brick business in which he has been continuously engaged ever since. his thorough attention to all the details of this industry and his keen perception and expert managerial ability caused him to succeed from the first, and in 1880, he established brickyards in Rockland County, on Haverstraw Bay, operating this large enterprise with a production of twelve million bricks annually. The business continued at that location for many years, giving employment to a great number of people in the vicinity, but in 1906, owing to the diminishing clay deposits, Mr. Goldrick moved the entire plant to Kingston and proceeded to develop the settlement which bears his name. In 1922 the name of the company was changed to that of Philip Goldrick & Sons, and Mr. Goldrick, who is the last survivor of the original brick manufacturers on the Hudson, continues as head of the concern, while his son, Thomas Goldrick, acts as production manager, and another son, Merton Goldrick, is in charge of sales and finance. The organization ships brick by barges to New York City, maintaining its own fleet of boats, and for many years has been the largest individual manufacturer in the valley, producing red building brick exclusively. Mr. Goldrick is active in all civic and social affairs, and is a leading member of Kingston Lodge, No. 675, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious adherence is given to the Roman Catholic church.

Philip Goldrick married, January 14, 1877, at Stony Point, Cecelia Brennan, born at Tompkins Cove, daughter of Murtha and Mary Brennan, and to this union were born seven children. Two died in infancy, and the others are: 1. Philip R., the oldest son, who died in 1906. 2. John, who died in 1918; married Joan Dwyer, of Kingston, and had one daughter, Nan. 3. Rose L. Lewis, who died in 1924; she had two children, Rose Cecile and Margery. 4. Thomas Francis, born April 9, 1886, at Haverstraw, graduated from Haverstraw High School, became associated with his father in the brick business, and is now production manager of the partnership; he married Jane Keating, of Kingston, daughter of John J,. Keating; he is a fourth degree Knights of Columbus, member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 675, Kingston, and of the Kingston Club, 5. Merton L., born December 11, 1890, at Haverstraw; graduated from Haverstraw High School, and Spencer's business college, later entering Packard's College, New York City, where he studied banking and finance; entered the brick business as a youth and as paymaster of his father's firm at the age of eighteen; is a director of Rondout National Bank; director Kingston Rotary Club, director New York District Common Brick Association, and is a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Kingston Club, the Palenville Country Club; he finds great recreation in outdoor sports, among which golf is his favorite, while he is an expert sailor and yachtsman."




Goldsmith & Gardner

G & G
Saugerties, NY 1905
2 machines in 1910
(found by Bill in St. James, NY)

In 1876 James A. Goldsmith operated Haverstraw Yard #40 on land owned by Mrs. R.C. Lillburn. There were several Gardners in the brick business, also starting out in Haverstraw.




Gormley Brick Company
Matthew Gormley

GORMLEY
Haverstraw, NY (1895)
Verplanck/Montrose (George's Island), NY (1905) 7 machines

From The New York Times Archives, Published: June 8, 1989:

"Matthew J. Gormley, a former brick manufacturer, died May 25 at his son's home in Garnerville, N.Y. He was 86 years old and lived in Haverstraw, N.Y.

Mr. Gormley, a graduate of Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, was general manager of the Gormley Brick Yards and was one of the last of the Haverstraw brick makers. His bricks were used in the construction of the state prison at Ossining, N.Y., as well as the buildings at Graymoor, the Roman Catholic institution in Garrison, N.Y.

The last shipment of Gormley bricks was sent to New York City by boat on April 13, 1938. Mr. Gormley then became a general contractor for the Army during the construction of Camp Shanks, at Orangeburg, N.Y., a major point of embarkation for troops during World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude; two sons, Matthew, of Arlington, Va., and Thomas, of Garnerville, and five grandchildren."

George's Island
Site of the GORMLEY yard in Montrose, now George's Island Park

George's Island
GORMLEY and Bellefuille bricks on the shore at George's Island Park






Gormley & Son

G & SON
Dutchess Junction, NY(?)
(found in landfill along Rte 9W, Milton, NY)




William H. Haight

HAIGHT
Poughkeepsie, NY (1900)
(found in landfill along Rte 9W, Milton, NY)

Notes from Fred Rieck--
William H. Haight first appeared in Poughkeepsie City Directories in 1888 as a proprietor of a livery business at 21 Catharine St. His residence: 295 Mill St. In 1890 "sheds" appears as a business item along with livery and stables.

1900 directory indicates ... boarding and sale of horses a specialty, also farmers sheds, (and) Brickyard: 21 Catharine St. In the 1903-04 directory, he is no longer listed as having a brick affiliation The 1906-07 directory indicates an Ellsworth Craft is occupying the 21 Catharine St. address. Haight residing at 48 Academy.

I never found a specific location for Haight's brickyard although I suspect it was somewhere around "Brick Yard Hill" in what is now Arlington. There is a Haight Ave. in that vicinity where Rts 44 and 55 diverge.

There were three (3) William H. Haights in Poughkeepsie after Haight the bricker and liveryman moved in. Those other Haights were machinists - father and son Haight weren't in the brick business very long.

There were a couple of pallets of used HAIGHTS between buildings between Main and Mill Sts. which may have fallen off a building wall in that area. These bldgs have been knocked down. None of the HAIGHT brick I've seen ever had a nice surface finish. Letters all were more difficult to read.

==========

Webmaster Notes--
Other Poughkeepsie brickyards included: Otis Allen & George H. Terwilliger (A & T); Isaac P. Flagler & Otis Allen (F & A); Allen, Townsend & Mack (A T & M); Norton I. Pennock (NIP, PENNOCK); Poughkeepsie Brick Corp (PB CORP); Hyland R Rose (HRR); Towey Brick Co (TOWEY); and WN Wetterau (WETTARAU).

Poughkeepsie, NY is rich in history. One of its notable citizens was Matthew Vassar who founded Vassar College in 1861.

The Vassar Family emigrated from England to America in 1796 and established a farm in the Poughkeepsie area, overlooking the Hudson River. James Vassar made the transition from farming to running family businesses in the early 1800’s, founding a brickyard on their property and soon thereafter starting a brewery operation. He and his wife had two sons who grew up in the family businesses.

In 1836 Matthew Vassar "commissioned a new waterfront brewery, which became the largest in the United States at the time, measuring 200 by 50 feet and producing 50,000 barrels of beer each year. While many businesses suffered during the 1837 depression, M. Vassar & Co. flourished due to an ongoing demand for ale. He also ran a brickyard which manufactured "large and beautiful pressed bricks" known as "Poughkeepsie Stretchers."

Matthew Jr.’s widow, Irene Beech Vassar, inspired by Florence Nightingale, a well-known reformist nurse in Great Britain, set out to find a location for a new hospital and chose a piece of property on what was then the outskirts of Poughkeepsie. The 14-acre property had a perfect view of the river, pleasant grounds and therapeutic breezes -- perfect for patients and their recovery. Vassar Brothers Hospital opened its doors on April 11, 1887. The main building component was, of course, Vassar bricks.

Sources: Vassar Encyclopedia
http://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/index.php/Matthew_Vassar
http://www.vassarbrothers.org/about.asp?urh=history






William K. Hammond

W K H
HAMMOND
HAMMOND2
HAMMOND3

Dutchess Junction, NY (1905) 3 machines

HAMMOND SITE
(found here at the brickyard site)

From the 1840s to 1930, there were several flourishing at the small community of Dutchess Junction where the Newburgh, Dutchess and Connecticut Railroad intersected with the Hudson River Railroad.

For our Special Section on DUTCHESS JUNCTION Click Here.




Hammond & Freeman

H & F
Dutchess Junction, NY (1911) 4 machines





Hanrahan Brick & Ice Co.

HB&ICo
Ulster Landing, NY

From 1928: The History of New York State Biographies, Part 12
Editor, Dr. James Sullivan. Online Edition by Holice, Deb & Pam:

"James F. Dwyer, son of Denis and Johanna (O'Brien) Dwyer, was born in Kingston, May 26, 1859, and received his education in the public schools of Kingston, which, however, he left while quite a young lad, and engaged in the boating business on the canals, lakes and rivers of New York and other States. In 1887 he and his brother, Robert J. Dwyer, established a ship chandler's store in West Strand, where, in addition to the handling of ships' supplies, they also built boats, mostly barges and scows many of which operated themselves. Of both branches of the business Mr. Dwyer has been half owner since the death of his brother in 1925. The concern was incorporated in that year, just before the death of the brother, under the name of Dwyer Brothers, Incorporated, and at the present time (1928) they are also operators and owners of the following industries: The R. Lenahan Company, boat and barge builders; the Kingston Brick & Ice Company; Wilbur Sand Company; Hanrahan Brick & Ice Company; Dwyer Brothers Ship Chandlery, and the Arrow Ice Company.

James F. Dwyer owns and operates fifty barges on the Hudson River and in New York Harbor. He is principally engaged in freighting cement from Hudson River points to New York City, and in this branch of his varied interests he is meeting with substantial success. In financial circle in Kingston, Mr. Dwyer is active and influential. He has been president of the Rondout National Bank since 1924, and a member of its board of directors for the past twenty years."
(http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/state/his/bio/pt12.html)




Heitlinger & Company
or
Hackensack Brick Company

HBCo
Haverstraw, NY (1899)
or
Hackensack, NJ (c.1900)





Hudson River Brick Company

HRBCo
Grassy Point (Haverstraw), NY (1920) 26 machines





Patrick Hunt

H & F
Rosavilla, NY (1875)

(found at the Van Cortlandt House Museum, Bronx, NY)





Hutton Brick Company

HUTTON

William Hutton, East Kingston, NY (1891) 14 machines
(found at the brickyard site, now Kingston Point Beach)
(also found lining the cement kilns in Rosendale, NY)

For our Special HUTTON Page Click the Brick.






Juan Jacinto Jova

J.J.J.

J.J.J.

JJJ
Danskammer Point, Roseton, NY (1884)
(1/4 mi. north of Rose Brick Co.)

(Pic#1: taken in 2007 of a brick in a sidewalk at Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA
Pic#2: donated by Bill of St. James, NY
Pic#3: from our collection and was found in Chester, NY)

In the late 1800s, Juan Jacinto Jova (J J J) came from Cuba to New York City as a sugar broker, then moved up the Hudson River to Roseton, NY, where he had hoped to raise sugar cane. When that venture failed, he built a brick plant. Jova bought a large Greek revival granite mansion (Danskammer) from David Maitland Armstrong (who ran the ARROW Brick Co.) then tore it down to get the clay on which it stood. The grand pillars that supported the veranda of the house now stand in the sculpture garden of the Storm King Art Center in Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y."

There's a lot more to the Jova story:

In conjunction with our sister-site HudsonRiverHistory.com we have completed a new webpage:

A BRIEF HISTORY of ROSETON and DANSKAMMER POINT, NY

Here you will find a compilation of our research on the brickyards in this area (ROSE, JOVA and ARROW).

==========

Jova Brick Works

JOVA

Henry J. & Edward A. Jova
Roseton, NY (1900) 14 machines
(found in Pelham Manor, NY)






Jova Manufacturing Company

JMC
East Kingston, NY (1965)

According to George Hutton in The Great Hudson River Brick Industry, JMC was the brand used for Jova brick made after the Jova Company bought out the Hutton plant in East Kingston in 1965. (The HUTTON brand was retained for a premium line of brick.)




Michael Kane Brick Company

KANE
654 Newfield St.
Middletown, CT
(Middlesex County)
(found in High Falls, NY behind lock-tenders cottage on the D+H Canal)





King Brick Company

KING
Ulster Landing, NY
(found in landfill along Rte 9W, Milton, NY
also found at Charles Rider Park, Ulster, NY)






Kingston Brick & Ice Company

K.B.I.Co
Ulster Landing, NY
(found in landfill in Kingston, NY

Owned by Dwyer Brothers, Incorporated. In 1928 they were also operators and owners of: The R. Lenahan Company, boat and barge builders; Wilbur Sand Company; Hanrahan Brick & Ice Company (see above); Dwyer Brothers Ship Chandlery, and the Arrow Ice Company.




William Lahey

LAHEY
Fishkill, NY (1889)
Newburgh,, NY (1910) 7 machines

LAHEY
LAHEY Barge






Lenox Brick Company

LENOX
Cliffwood, NJ

Found in the remains of the Boyce Thompson Institute, Yonkers, NY

William Boyce Thompson, who acquired wealth in the copper mining industry, visited Russia in 1917 where he saw the effects of hunger on its inhabitants. This trip persuaded Thompson of the importance of ensuring food supply for the world population, and in 1920, he decided to establish the Institute for Plant Research across the street from his country estate Alder Manor, in Yonkers, NY. Over the years, Yonkers property taxes and urban pollution began to pose major problems. In 1978 the Institute moved to the campus of Cornell University. Plans to use the Yonkers site for a department store, office complex, low-income housing, a museum and a school have all failed. The brick buildings and greenhouses remain vacant today. NOTE: CBCo brick (Champlain Brick Co of Mechanicville, NY) were also found at this location as well as at Alder Manor (where this writer/Webmaster was married).

==========

The IBCA's Jim Graves, citing the "Industrial Directory of New Jersey," indicates Lenox Brick was located in Cliffwood, NJ and its listing appeared in the 1909 and 1915 editions.

==========

From The Matawan Journal, Jan. 14, 1909:
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING.

"The Lenox Brick Company of Cliffwood, through George Craigen of Keyport, asked the committee to take some action relative to defining the road from the New York and Long Branch railroad near Cliffwood to Whale Creek. The road passes through the Gehlhaus property and north of the road from Keyport to South Amboy it is said to have been changed by reason of the excavation of clay for brickmaking purposes."

From The Matawan Journal, Dec. 30, 1909:

"The traction engine and two cars of the Lenox Brick Company were reported having become stalled on the public road near John F. Selover’s at Cliffwood last Friday and that it was difficult for wagons to pass them. After some discussion it was decided to have Road Superintendent Harvey Stillwaggon notify the company to remove the obstruction as soon as possible."
(SOURCE: http://www.aberdeennj.org/150th/TOWNSHIP_COMMITTEE_MEETINGS.pdf)

==========

"Aberdeen Township Street Names" states Lenox Road was named for the Lenox Brick Company. The road was laid out in July, 1914 on a map of Keyport Heights.
(SOURCE: aberdeennj.net/150th/ABERDEEN_TOWNSHIP_STREET_NAMES.pdf)





Robert Lent

LENT
Coeymans, NY (1904-1920)

ROBERT LENT was born at Glasco, N. Y. on November 22, 1892, He came from a family of brickmakers.

His grandfather ROBERT LENT was born at Highland Mills, Orange County, N. Y. on May 3, 1828 and was a brick manufacturer at Glasco, Ulster County, N. Y. He married Catherine Conklin, of Orange County, N. Y., November 20, 1852, at Matteawan, NY.

DAVIS CALEB LENT was born at Naugatuck, New Haven Co., CT on Oct. 31, 1854, He was manager of the Denning's Point Brick Works. Mr. Lent was the first to burn brick with anthracite coal, which was done on his father's yard at Glasco. He had thorough business abilities, and was one who understood the brick making industry in all its details perfectly. He was married to Mary E. Seaman, of Ulster County, N. Y.,

JOHN WRIGHT LENT was born at Naugatuck, New Haven, Co., CT, on March 9, 1859. He was manager of his father's brick making business at Glasco, N. Y.

WILLIAM LEWIS LENT, born at Naugatuck, New Haven Co., CT on August 20, 1863, was engineer for the Denning's Point Brick Works. He married Mary E. Felter, of Ulster County, N. Y.

SOURCE: "History of the Lent family in the United States, genealogical and biographical," 1903, by Nelson Burton Lent.
Newburgh, N.Y., Newburgh Journal Printing House and Bookbindery, May 1, 1903.


1891 Beers Map
showing Glasco and surrounding brickyard owners including:

Mrs R. LENT,
WASHBURN Brothers,
W. M. Maginnis,
Henry Corse Jr.,
F. VAN DEUSEN,
and Porter (at Porterville) (later leased by MAYONE)

Read more about Glasco, NY




A. M. Lowe

LOWE
New Paltz, NY (1899)
(found in landfill along Rte 9W, Milton, NY)


From: Village of New Paltz Reconnaissance-Level Survey III:

1861
"We have been informed that a brickyard will be opened in this village soon near the Wallkill on S. Water St.

1862
Village Hall to be built of brick of 'home manufacture.'

1869
Bricks were manufactured in New Paltz as early as the 1830s, possibly earlier. According to early sources, the Reformed Church on Huguenot Street, built in 1839, was constructed of local brick. It is certain that Eaton Van Wagenen established a brick yard in 1869 on the West side of North Chestnut Street between Academy Street and Front Street.

A.M. Low (LOWE) operated a brickyard south of the village on Plains Road from the 1880s to 1906. In 1906 a group of local businessmen bought out Mr. Low, purchasing his property, as well as Andries LeFevre’s adjoining farm. They organized the Lowe Brick Company which operated successfully until 1928. Among the buildings still standing and known to have been constructed of local brick are the Academy Theatre [Village Hall] in 1863, the Van Vlack Pharmacy building in the 1880s and "Old Main" on the SUNY campus in 1909.

1888
Within a short time past the editor of the Independent has visited Kingston, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, and passed through Marlborough, Rosendale, Highland and other villages in the vicinity. In none of those places was there as much evidence of life and animation as at New Paltz. In none of them was there as much new building to be seen in going through the main streets as is to be observed in New Paltz. And in no other place did so large a proportion of the buildings appear to have been erected in the past few years.

We must observe too that the buildings lately erected and those now in progress in this place are to a great extent fine appearing and tasteful. It has been freelypredicted that the boom must soon come to an end, because New Paltz has no factories, but somehow the determination to put up new houses does not seem to grow less. It is partly because New Paltz is such a delightful place of residences and partly because taxes are going to be so light here after this year, when the last of the town bonds are paid, and partly because of the growth of the patronage of the mountain houses and partly because of the increased number in the fruit business, and partly because of such new enterprises as the brickyard and creamery, but of course, the principal cause of the prosperity of the place is the Normal School, and when the new building is erected we may expect a continued steady growth of the place.

1889
Telephone installed in Normal School. "Rural Avenue" [Plains Road]. On this thoroughfare which leads from our village are many pleasant places, with scenery pleasing to the eye, all the way to Ireland Corners. First Maple Lawn, the home of the C. Wurts family, then the brickyard of A.M. Low, who employs from fifteen to twenty men and boys during the season;

1892
New Paltz Brick Co. (A.M. Low) manufactured 1 million bricks, 170,000sent to Kingston; 120,000 for the stack of Doremus Cement Mill, Whiteport;some shipped to Montgomery; 2 car loads to Walden; 75,000 ordered for cement mill in Binnewater.

1908
About fifteen years ago our village had quite a building boom for several years at a time when in the country at large there was a general depression inbusiness. Now at another time when there is general dullness in business, New Paltz is having quite a large number of new buildings put up. The building boom at the first time spoken of was on account of the establishment of the Normal school here. The present boom is for several reasons: the new Normal school building; the building of the New York aqueduct and the presence of a large number of engineers; the growth of the summer boarding business; the brick yard giving employment to a large number of hands; the transportation of excursions to and from Mohonk."




Lynch Bros.

LYNCH
Ulster Landing (East Kingston), NY (5 machines in 1910)

Patrick Lynch operated Yard #4 (owned by Daniel DeNoyelles) in Haverstraw from 1887 to 1896. The Lynch Brothers operated this yard in 1903. In 1910, O'Brien and Lynch operated Yard #11 and John Lynch worked Yard #22. In Within These Gates Daniel deNoyelles lists the Lynch Brothers operating 5 machines in "the Kingston district" in 1910. This brick was found along the west Hudson shore near Ulster Landing at what may have been the brickyard site.




Patrick J. Lynch & O'Brien

PJL&OB
Haverstraw., NY
(1902 - 1910)

In 1910, O'Brien and Lynch operated Yard #11 in Haverstraw. See also OBRIEN.




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