IMPORTED AND OUT-OF-STATE BRICKS
A good variety of bricks were imported or shipped into California. Below are some that I, along with other
collectors, have found within the State's boundaries. In the early days, foreign bricks were brought
to California as ship ballasts. These were dumped on the shore, and the boats refilled with California
wheat for the return trip home. Bricks came from England, Scotland, Japan, and Canada. In the piles were
precious fire bricks, which were highly desired for ovens and furnaces. Some enterprising men took
these bricks and sold them as imported fire bricks. As demand for foreign fire bricks grew, they became
quite a source of revenue for the vessel owners, who could sell them at $5 to $10 less than the domestic
product. Because these bricks were carted away for long distances, they may be found in nearly every
corner of the State. Later, brickmakers from other States shipped bricks to California, some from as
far away as Plymouth, Massachusetts. I list below only the imports and out-of-state bricks where research
has turned up some information about the bricks.
Comments or questions are welcomed.
Please send email to Dan Mosier at danmosier@earthlink.net.