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)].
The Brandon Women's Musical Club was formed in 1945 by Miss Peggy Sharpe and Miss Hilda Smith. Together with a group of women from around Brandon, they managed to form a large club for, according to the club's constitution, "the study of vocal and instrumental music, literature and related arts and the encouragement of promising Junior Artists under eighteen years of age." With these goals in mind, the club undertook to provide tuition for young music students and contributed to the formation of the Brandon Women's Musical Choral Club. The club held meetings during which club members listened to guest speakers and observed performances by local musical and dance groups, as well as some national musical stars. The group also sponsored performances of musicals, plays, and recitals, and held an annual Christmas party.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 2002. Previous custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds is composed predominantly of two scrapbooks, one of which covers the years 1953-1960, the other the years 1960-1965. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings about the Musical Club's meetings and performances. There is also a file containing miscellaneous correspondence, the constitution and bylaws of the group, the club's membership lists from 1959-1964, and questionnaires about the Women's Musical Club.