30th_street Member Username: 30th_street
Post Number: 54 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 5:57 pm: | |
Hey I am looking for any buildings being torn down. I have not been able to get to the four conors of the city and I don't want to miss any brick hunting opportunities. So, anyone seen any building coming down lately? |
Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 710 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:06 pm: | |
uh. everywhere? |
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger
Post Number: 1452 Registered: 05-2008
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:13 pm: | |
I have an extra Studebaker factory brick, or two... |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7728 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:30 pm: | |
McMillan school on Westend in Delray was recently torn down, and as of Sunday there was a huge pile of rubble. Page the expert Billybbrew for info on old brickyards. ps My studebaker brick came from Jjaba as a prize in a trivia contest. ;) |
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 9409 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:33 pm: | |
I have a Stroh's brick.
quote:ps My studebaker brick came from Jjaba as a prize in a trivia contest. ;) WTF! I got postcards! ;) |
Zimm Member Username: Zimm
Post Number: 103 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:39 pm: | |
i had a Madison-Lennox brick (from the front of the Madison, painted white on 1 side.) not sure if it's still in my garage, or if i got rid of it when it started to crumble. the 5 previously unexposed sides didn't take well to the world. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7729 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 6:47 pm: | |
"WTF! I got postcards! ;)" Me too, and photographs. What can I say, I'm old. |
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame
Post Number: 660 Registered: 12-2006
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 7:20 pm: | |
You know, I'm surprised some enterprising person hasn't made a business in salvaged brick, stone & block. New construction with old materials is very eco friendly and will look great in an already-established neighborhood. The landfills are teeming with all kinds of good bricks as the City of D mandates that "refuse" from city demos must go into a landfill. Screwy, ain't it? In New Orleans, where their antique building materials are in the drink (i.e. Gulf of Mex.), they would LOVE some of that to repair vintage structures. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 7732 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 7:38 pm: | |
They have, check out some of the brick-stripped houses in SW |
Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 711 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 12:05 am: | |
Take a drive through Jefferson-Chalmers, half the houses in the neighborhood are falling into the street. Just watch out for roaming dealers... |
Dan Member Username: Dan
Post Number: 448 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 1:03 am: | |
http://www.aswdetroit.org/ |
Leannam1989 Member Username: Leannam1989
Post Number: 186 Registered: 06-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 2:31 am: | |
"You know, I'm surprised some enterprising person hasn't made a business in salvaged brick, stone & block. New construction with old materials is very eco friendly and will look great in an already-established neighborhood. The landfills are teeming with all kinds of good bricks as the City of D mandates that "refuse" from city demos must go into a landfill. Screwy, ain't it? In New Orleans, where their antique building materials are in the drink (i.e. Gulf of Mex.), they would LOVE some of that to repair vintage structures." Probably some of those bricks being sent to New Orleans are the ones being illegally stripped off of 100+ year old buildings in North St. Louis. Brick rustling is a big problem in St. Louis, especially on the emptier North Side. A few get caught (I read about a felony conviction last year), but most get away with it. Seems like people like the weathered brick, so an empty North Side (usually) house without a lot of other houses around is a perfect target. Sorry, a little off-topic I know. It just struck me that you said that. A St. Louis blogger currently living in New Orleans had a blog a while back about bricks with "St. Louis" written on them being recently inserted into brick sidewalks in New Orleans. Some of them may have been from recently demolished buildings, though some buildings are stripped until they have to be demolished. And city leaders turn a blind eye for the most part. St. Louis still does produce bricks, though not to the extent it used to. St. Louis is called "Brick City" for a reason. On a side note: St. Louis is about to have Mardi Gras. Should bring about 500k people to St. Louis' South Side. |
Gene Member Username: Gene
Post Number: 188 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 7:21 am: | |
Reclaimed brick was a popular building material in the 80s. I would suspect the cost to claim, clean and lay the brick is why it's not used much today, however not a lot of new construction these days. I have a brick from Dodge Main. |
Big_baby_jebus Member Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 59 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 8:19 am: | |
If you don't have any Packard bricks, scrappers recently torched off a level of one of the bridges over Bellevue street. The last time I went by the alley was still covered in bricks. |
Davemarc Member Username: Davemarc
Post Number: 162 Registered: 06-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 9:08 am: | |
BBJ,Yep still laying there as of last week.They must not buy reclaim brick anymore.I recall houses with the foundations stolen out from under them. |
Zitro Member Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2689 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 9:09 am: | |
Here are some Olypmpia bricks I scavenged during the demolition of the Old Barn.
|
Mallory Member Username: Mallory
Post Number: 322 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 9:22 am: | |
The Lions have been laying bricks for years... |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3500 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 9:29 am: | |
There are quite a few contractors who have salvaged (and may still do it) brick in Detroit, sometimes for homes in the burbs even. And, if I remember right, there's a used brick yard on Chene or McDougall around Mack or Canfield. |
Big_baby_jebus Member Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 60 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 9:54 am: | |
That brickyard is on Chene. They pay 1 penny per brick as long as it is clean of mortar and has 3 corners in tact. It is hard to believe it is worth it for some people to clean and haul 100 bricks for a dollar. (Message edited by big_baby_jebus on February 13, 2009) |
Rjk Member Username: Rjk
Post Number: 1182 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 10:09 am: | |
Is that place still selling bricks? I drove by there recently and their yard was filled with wooden pallets. |
Big_baby_jebus Member Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 61 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 10:25 am: | |
As of last spring/summer they were still open. I have not been by in a little while though. |
Davemarc Member Username: Davemarc
Post Number: 163 Registered: 06-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 11:24 am: | |
A penny per?That explains why they are still in the alley! |
Django Member Username: Django
Post Number: 2167 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 1:42 pm: | |
They usually pay 10 cents a brick around town. I highy doubt the price has dropped that much. The least Ive ever seen it was 9 cents, the highest 12 cents. I spent a summer as a hoddie for a brick/stone mason on Nantuckett in the late 80s. We built a couple of fireplaces with brick imported from Detroit. Ive often wondered if they came from the yard on Chene. |
Big_baby_jebus Member Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 64 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 1:44 pm: | |
I got a Tiger Stadium Brick from inside the dugout, 2 actually. Any takers? /...Ineedmoneyz...\ |
Izzyindetroit Member Username: Izzyindetroit
Post Number: 176 Registered: 07-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 1:46 pm: | |
You can get a lot of these bricks in Detroit. All white bricks, Off white bricks, Light tan bricks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =dAzUv83DoNE |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3504 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 2:06 pm: | |
One thing about Detroit. Whenever I got a flat tire and needed to chock my wheels for the jack, there were always bricks nearby for the chocking. |
Navi Member Username: Navi
Post Number: 40 Registered: 09-2005
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 2:13 pm: | |
Zitro, those Olympia bricks are awesome. Nice work. Izzy, LoL! |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1697 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:07 pm: | |
I've got a collection myself. Wish I woulda gotten a brick from the Book-Caddy when they were tearing out the north wall. I did get one from the Fort Shelby when they were doing the same thing. |
Zitro Member Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2693 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:07 pm: | |
Thank Navi, I had some red bricks from there too but gave them to a man who collected bricks. After he passed away I waited a couple of months to ask his wife if they were still around, I knew she didn't really want them and she had already given them away. By the paint on these they look like they make have come from one of the bathrooms. I couldn't be too choosy as security saw me and I had to high tail it back to my car with what I could. |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 6142 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:17 pm: | |
Sorry, But when it comes to brick collecting, no one has me beat!!
|
Zitro Member Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2694 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:22 pm: | |
Gistok, the one on the bottom right,that looks like it came from an Aztec ruins could it be? |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 6143 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:27 pm: | |
... not unless they subcontracted it from a mid 20th century Danish plastic injection molding machine... |
30th_street Member Username: 30th_street
Post Number: 56 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 3:38 pm: | |
Interesting posts. Thanks for the possible locations. Here is an example of what I am hunting for. Bricks that are stamped with names and letters.
|
Wintersmommy Member Username: Wintersmommy
Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 4:16 pm: | |
going brick collecting myself this weekend in Delray..drove by it last week and saw the treasure trove of bricks and decided to build my flower beds with them |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1738 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 4:19 pm: | |
Here is an incomplete list of Detroit brickmakers that I've found in the Sanborn maps. Burke Bros. Clippert, Conrad Clippert, G.H. & Bros Clippert, W Daniel, Jacob & Bros Daniels, Jacob Downey, M Haggerty, J.S. Hyns, Francis Larkins Little, A. Lonyo Birck Co Lonyo Bros Lonyo, Andrew McDonald, J.C. Mecier & Larkins Mercier, J. A. Michigan Pressed Brick Porath Bros Pratt, B. Rochester Sand & Brick Sass Bros & Stuve Schneider Walker & Frank Wolf & Die Wolf, F.W. |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3508 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 4:22 pm: | |
There was a big brick yard (Haggerty, maybe?) where the Ford-Wyoming drive in is now. |
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger
Post Number: 1459 Registered: 05-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 5:04 pm: | |
Guess we'll need to stop by the old Packard plant tomorrow...I need a few bricks. |
Whittier70 Member Username: Whittier70
Post Number: 216 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 6:39 pm: | |
Detroitnerd, elaborate on Ford Wyoming and Haggerty. I don't get it. |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1739 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 6:59 pm: | |
J.S. Haggerty Brick Plant #2, 10600 Ford Rd. J.S. Haggerty Brick Plant #1, 10624 Michigan Ave. |
Ccbatson Member Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 18727 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 11:29 pm: | |
Burns, the owner of the Tigers in 1900, was Wayne County sheriff and brickyard owner. |
Beech_cricker Member Username: Beech_cricker
Post Number: 52 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 8:07 am: | |
30th, you might want to check out these pix of Michigan bricks, assuming you haven't already: http://www.tlgwindpower.com/tw eety/50states/michiganbrick%20 .htm I have a small brick collection. I limit myself to my favorite buildings, e.g. Olympia Stadium, as opposed to finding simply old bricks or those embossed with the manufacturer's name. The exception is refractory brick, especially those from General Refractories Co. ("Grefco") which had brand names like BEECH CREEK, WYNN, ORVIS and BC BUNG embossed. These bricks are significantly heavier than building bricks. They make for great door stops, if anything. |
Jimg Member Username: Jimg
Post Number: 504 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 12:07 pm: | |
I have a couple of non-Detroit bricks. One from the Subway club in Kansas City, the second is an original paver from Beale Street. Also have couple from BoMac's Lounge, "friendliest place in town." Missed out on a Graystone Ballroom brick. |
Lowell Moderator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 2198 Registered: 09-2003
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 12:44 pm: | |
Here is one I shot at Packard last summer...
|
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto
Post Number: 3557 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 2:39 pm: | |
Eastern/Southeastern Ohio once supplied much of the brick pavers, as well as ceramic downspouts/drainpipes for much of the midwest. There are some interesting, half abandoned towns in SE Oh. that were built entirely around the manufacture of bricks. Other "Brands" frequently found in the ruins of Detroit: Nelsonville Block, Athens Block (from Athens, OH, where I attended Grad School), Hocking Block and Logan Block. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1698 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 3:14 pm: | |
30th street, did your J.A.M. brick come from the Grande Ballroom, by chance? I always found it fascinating that "Kick Out the Jams" was recorded in a building made of J.A.M. bricks. I'll take a look in my garage when it warms up. The previous owner scavenged a TON of bricks from an old apartment building that was torn down across the street from my house decades ago. I'm pretty sure they have stamps. |
30th_street Member Username: 30th_street
Post Number: 57 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 8:57 pm: | |
Beech_cricker, I belong to the IBCA, I have about 300 different stamped bricks. Unfortunately I do not have all the ones from Mich. That's why I am looking for buildings in rumble around Detroit. It is a lot of fun to dig around hoping to find a brick I don't have or even discover one nobody knows about. My JAM brick could have come from any random structure in the city.It was a pretty common brand. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 1722 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 9:44 pm: | |
30th: How best to contact you with my bricks once I get a chance to look at the stamps? |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3511 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 10:24 am: | |
Hornwrecker got it: There was an old brick yard operated by Haggerty where the Ford-Wyoming drive-in is now. From what my dad told me about walking around there as a kid, brick yards were environmentally devastating. He described open fields of toxic water leaching into the ground. (Now the area is only polluted with cheap entertainment.) |