Brandon Sand & Brick Co. was better known as "Samson's Brick" for owner-proprietor Samson.
Plant located at 29th Street & Princess Avenue; Offices located in Smith Block.
Used Huennekes (German) system, whereby dried sand was mixed and ground with lime in a tube mill as water was added to slake the lime. The mixture was formed into bricks in a press, then steamed in a cylinder 6 ft. in diameter and 62 ft. long for 10 hours, under pressure of 120 psi, to form a compound like cement. Bricks were ready for use when taken from cylinder. (Ritchie, T. Canada Builds. pp. 219)
In addition to the Belvedere Apartments, many houses are faced with this brick. The rear of the 9th St. MTS building and others downtown buildings were also formed of it. Also used in interior walls of Prince Edward Hotel, Alexander School and many other buildings that were faced with more expensive brick. The product was so good, the plant's demise was likely caused by the post-WWI depression.(LAS)
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Brandon Sand & Brick Co. (Samson's Brick)
Notes
Great Northern Railway enginehouse visible in background [Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009)].
William A. Fleming, Brandon's first water dealer, is said to have begun his business in 1881. He sold drinking water for 5 cents per pail from the 1920s through the mid 1930s. The source of his water was a well located on the east side of the 100 block of 12th Street. Fleming's business was taken over by two men with a water tank on a truck, and continued till 1946 when it was closed due to contamination.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Mr. Wm. Fleming, Water Dealer, with horse and water cart
Notes
Ad on cart: W.H. Mallett Jeweller Issuer of Marriage Licenses.
Photo courtesy of the Assiniboine Historical Society.
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