Centre County, Pennsylvania brick companies photographs
Creation: circa 1920-1940Abstract
This collection consists of photographs documenting many of the processes used to make bricks in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and some coal mining images. Brick works existed in Coleville, Wingate, Milesburg, Howard, Port Matilda, Snow Shoe, Orviston and Monument. By the 1960s, all the brick works have shut down for mostly economic reasons.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1920-1940
Creator
- Unknown (Organization)
Extent
46 item(s)
General Physical Description
46 photographic prints : b&w ; 5 x 8 in.
Historical Note
Traditionally, brick making plants were located at or near clay bedrock within easy reach of local transportation. A clay deposit would be chosen for its color and texture, and ease of access. There are two types of clay in Centre County. One is the soft plastic clay that is suitable as a cement agent for fire clay, brick, and has a limited use in the manufacture of paper. The other type of clay is flint clay. This clay is called the fire clay and is used in the manufacture of high grade refractory materials.
Around the time of the Civil War, brick plants were opened in several areas of Centre County: Coleville, Wingate, Milesburg, Howard, Port Matilda, Snow Shoe, Orviston and Monument. By the 1960s, all the brick works have shut down for mostly economic reasons.
Arrangement
Organized by towns: 22 views of Orvistown, 8 views of Snow Shoe, 16 views of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of photographs documenting many of the processes used to make bricks in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and some coal mining images. The companies depicted were no longer in operation by 1962. Each individual photograph is identified on the back, but no specific company names are used.
Location
GL Box 1.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Centre County, Pennsylvania brick companies photographs
- Date:
- 2015
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository
