Posted 13 years ago
VikingFan82
(373 items)
My grandfather, pre-retirement, had lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota for his entire life. Always looking to get cheap building materials for whatever project he had in mind. One of his biggest things he liked to collect for future projects was bricks. In the 1950s they began repaving a lot of the roads near his house. At this time they were still brick roads, with black top sloppily covering them. my grandfather filled the back of his truck with bricks (with permission, heck, they wouldn't have to haul 'em away now) and drove home. He did this several times. One project he did, to the amazement of his family, is he actually put in a chimney and fireplace, in his den. About five years ago, as my grandparents were getting ready to sell their lake cabin that they had had for over thirty years, the family began to take souvenirs, of what reminded them of the place. My grandfather had built a giant barbeque pit with the bricks and after he was done he stacked up the remaining bricks on one end. My mother asked if she could take the extra bricks. He said she could. This is what she did with them. Over the past few years I have gone on several humanitarian relief trips, and every time I come home, I bring her a brick. She now has bricks from Minnesota, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, New Orleans, Louisiana, Galveston, Texas and Haiti.
That is cool. Brick collecting is a big thing. There are brick swaps all over the country. I have never been to one but a friend of mine goes to them and comes back with some of the most amazing brick. I have a fair collection of bricks. All have different makers names. You have inspired me to post my collection. I will get started soon. Thanks for sharing.
Trenchartman
The wheat colored one in the top row in the first photo, partially covered by dirt, is the only one that has a name on it. Acme Brick Co. Pearl, La. I actually pulled it from the shores of Lake Ponchartrain.