BLOOMSBURG BRICK COMPANY
(1913)
The Bloomsburg Brick Company received its charter of incorporation on
April 12, 1910, from Pennsylvania for the "purpose of engaging in
the manufacture and sale of brick and other shale, clay and slag
products." It had the authority to issue 600 shares of common stock
at $50.00 par value. The eighteen investors were primarily from the
Bloomsburg area. The plant was located on the south side of East Fifth
Street near the boundary of Bloomsburg and Scott Township which later
became part of the site for the Dillon greenhouses.
The first day of business was on August 1, 1910. Some eleven weeks
later, The Morning Press on October 17 reported, "First
Burning of Brick at Local Plant a Success." It specialized in make
a building brick that had a rough texture, as well as producing paving
bricks for streets. Depending on the amount of business, it provided
employment for thirty to fifty people. The company had the production
capacity to produce six million bricks per year. H. Reber Mears, one of
the investors, served as the Secretary and General Manager from 1914
until his death in 1922.
The company experienced two fires. The first one happened on
September 9, 1914, that resulted in limited damage to the plant. The
local newspaper stated: "Practically all the heavy machinery can be
used and after slight repairs are made will be in as good condition as
ever." Within a few weeks the plant was able to resume production.
A second fire, far more serious, occurred on November 16, 1923. Due to
widespread and extensive damage, the owners decided to forego rebuilding
the Bloomsburg Brick Company and closed it.
