Existing comment:
The Frederick Brick Works:
The Frederick Brick Works was established in 1891 on a 63-acre farm tract south of town. The property was rich in clay deposits and located in close proximity to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. These factors contributed to the company's success as manufacturer of a once-prominent brand of bricks, Frederick Reds. Frederick Reds were used in the construction of numerous buildings throughout the region. The largest project, requiring five million bricks, was the Government Printing Office (1900) in Washington, D.C. Locally, Frederick Reds were used in construction of the first Frederick High School, various buildings at Hood College, and many pre-World War II houses.
Following molding, the bricks were moved to the dryers (E). One dryer used hot air, while a second used steam. Both contained tunnel dryers, one heated by waste heat, the other by steam conducted in pipes along the bottom and sides of the dryer. After being thoroughly dried, the bricks were fired. Firing took place in twelve, downdraft kilns (F). The kilns were shaped like beehives, thus allowing for an even distribution of heat. They required constant supervision to maintain the consistent temperatures needed to produce the best quality brick. Following firing, the bricks were stored in sheds (G) where they awaited shipment to construction sites via truck or rail.
Frederick Reds were manufactured using the soft-mud process. Clay was stored in the sheds (A) at the south end of the property. When needed, raw clay was moved to the tempering pit (B) where it was combined with water and other materials to increase its plasticity and burn quality. The refined clay was then moved to the pug mill (C) where it was cut and mixed with water. Dry pans were used to crush and grind any slate, shale, or small pebbles in the mixture. Two brick machines (D) then molded the refined clay into bricks.
The fortunes of the Frederick Brick Works fluctuated in response to economic conditions. Brick production was temporarily suspended at the height of the depression in 1934, fully restored by the early 1940s, and suspended again during World War II. In 1946 brick production was discontinued permanently due to a combination of maintenance, labor, and marketing difficulties following the war. The company turned to the sale of ready-made building materials and supplies, a business that continues to the present.
Plaque prepared for the State Highway Administration (SHA) as part of the East Street Extended Project. |