Monday, March 30, 2015

Brickmaking in Helena

Familiar names and places were involved in making the bricks used in Montana landmarks.


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2 comments:

  1. Ellen - An important change in brickmaking in Helena occurred in 1883 with the arrival of the railroad. Prior to that time, brick kilns were fired using wood or charcoal fires. With the arrival of the Northern Pacific in 1883, brickmakers could use coal brought in by the railroad. This chang made for a much harder brick because the brick kilns could reach a hotter temperature with coal than with wood.
    Dan Stinson
    Helena

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  2. Thanks Dan, for this interesting detail. Makes sense. I'll remember it!

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