Where Do Bricks Come From? Early bricks in St. Louis were made by hand. In some neighborhoods, clay would be dug, pressed in molds, and fired in a kiln all on the site where it was to be used. Bricks made in this fashion tend to be less uniform than later machine-made bricks. (Photo used courtesy of Tom Walsh, Masonry Institute of St. Louis) This image, from Indiana, shows a work site where bricks are being handmade in molds. Three bricks are made at a time in each mold. (Photo used courtesy of Indiana University Library) Industrialization brought new inventions to produce bricks. This hydraulic machine greatly increased the rate at which bricks were produced. (Photo used courtesy of Tom Walsh, Masonry Institute of St. Louis) Because of the fine clay deposits, many brick companies were started in the late 1800s. By the turn of the century, the Hydraulic Press Brick Company alone produced over 100 million bricks per year - making it the largest brick company anywhere. (Used courtesy of Tom Walsh, Masonry Institute of St. Louis) Wood Clay Stone Identify It!		More About Clay Clay Home Where Do Bricks Come From? Bricks in St Louis Terra Cotta in St Louis Related Links History of Brickmaking in Cheltenham Indiana University Library
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