Brickmakers
CALIFORNIA BRICKS
Home Page | Brickmakers
Carquinez Brick and Tile Company
History
Little is known about the Carquinez Brick and Tile Company. This company was incorporated on October 25,
1907 in San Francisco. Capital stock was $300,000. The directors were O. H. Harrison of San Anselmo, John
W. Butler of San Francisco, D. J. McKay of San Francisco, Walter Cox of Mill Valley, Joseph C. Raas of
San Anselmo, George W. Lane of San Francisco, and H. W. Smith of San Francisco. R.W. Harrison
was president of the company. The company office was located in the Russ Building, 149 California St.,
San Francisco.
Brick production at its yard in Eckley, Contra Costa County, California, began about 1913. Clay was mined
on the property in banks at the yard. Red common bricks were produced and used locally and shipped to
San Francisco. Operations ceased about 1916. The plant was removed in 1918.
Remnants of this operation can be seen along the shoreline at Eckley. There is also a small brick building
which is believed to be constructed of brick from the Carquinez Brick and Tile Company.
Brick building still standing at Eckley made of Carquinez bricks.
Carquinez Brick
Carquinez bricks on the side wall of the brick building at Eckley.
Common brick is orange to orange red, with visible gray, white, and black clasts on the surface, especially
on broken surfaces. White to gray flashing is visible on some surfaces. Smooth surface texture. Straight edges
but often chipped or broken. Corners are rounded to sharp. Stiff-mud extruded process. Occasional transverse
grooves and crazing on the sides. Curved wire-cut marks on top and bottom faces, with abundant pits.
Length 8 1/2 - 8 5/8, width 3 7/8 - 4, height 2 5/8.
Source
Article of Incorporation of the Carquinez Brick and Tile Company, October 25, 1907.
California Division of Mines Bulletin 99, 1928.
California Division of Mines Report 17, 1920, p. 49.
San Francisco City Directories, 1913-1916.
Copyright © 2004 Dan Mosier
Home Page | Brickmakers
Comments or questions are welcomed.
Please send email to Dan Mosier at danmosier@earthlink.net.