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)].
Item consists of portraits of members of the Brandon College Commercial and Stenographic Department 1904.
Top Row (L to R): Joy Merrill; J. Menzie; E. J. Davies; N. Brown; M. McKenzie; Jas. Good; M. Parkin; and M.J. Greaves.
Second Row (L to R): Albert Kabe; D. McKinnon; R. Hartney; C. Hopper; E.R. Greenwood; M. L. Brandon; F.W. Kerr; S.W. Young; and G. McTavish.
Third Row (L to R): Ethel Ross; S. Donaldson; J.B. Beveridge; S.L. DeMoine; F.L. Werry; G. Beveridge; and W. Magwood.
Fourth Row (L to R): G.S. Nichol; K.W. Conn; Jas. Murdock; P. MacGregor; R.K. Gibson; Roland Bell; and J. Baldwin.
Fifth Row (L to R): W.C.F. Fine; G. K. Honeyman; Geo. Wickie; and Alex Dagleish.
Sixth Row (L to R): F.P. Clark; L. Stark; G. Bedford; E. Laidlaw; G. Koester; L. Henderson; F.J.C. Barber; W.G. Robertson; and W.F. Baker.
Seventh Row (L to R): G. Davies; W.G. Wakefield; E.C. Ramsay; D.K. Bell; J.B. Kerr; John McCaul; C.D. Gainer; and ? (name is cut off).
Photograph shows a panorama, bird's-eye-view of downtown Brandon, between Pacific and Rosser Avenues and 7th Street facing east. Photoraph likely taken from the McKenzie Seeds Building. Visible businesses include: Western Canada Flour Mills, Hanbury Hardware Co. Ltd., Cockshutt Plow Co., New Pacific Hotel, Gordon McKay Building, and Arlington Hotel.
Notes
Part of "Souvenir of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada [viewbook], Printed by Photogelatine Engraving Co. Limited, Ottawa." Dates obtained from the Burchill's Music Store Henderson's Brandon City Directory listings (1927-1929). Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Panorama of Brandon, Man.
From the back of the photograph: Members of the Wolsley expedition were quartered in the house in 1885 (Northwest Rebellion) and the Hessons moved into the house behind (roof just showing). It had 1882 carved under the front gable.
Custodial History
Donated to the Brandon College Library by Hilda Hesson in 1967.
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Hesson home and family in the 1880’s. The house was located on First Street just north of Rosser on the east side. The man in the buggy was known as Joe.
Thompson's Groceries and Confectionary was established in 1923 by Arthur Thompson (b. 1881 - d. May14, 1957) at 764 13th Street. From approximately 1925-1927, the store was operated by Alexander Thompson at 762 13th Street. The fate of the store from 1929-1935 is unclear. In 1929, Alexander Thompson was a grocer at 748 7th Street and in 1931 a Mrs. A Thompson was a grocer at 802 14th Street. There were two Thompson grocery and confectionary businesses in Brandon in 1933: Thompson's Confectionary at 745 13th Street and Thompson & Co. at 702 12th Street. In 1935, Arthur Thompson appears to have either taken over one of the earlier businesses or reopened his own grocery in its original location at 762 13th Street. He operated his store at this location into the mid-1950s. At some point following Thompson's death the building was bought by Frank Fitzpatrick and used for his upholstery store.
Custodial History
Donated by Frank Fitzpatrick.
Scope and Content
Photograph is looking northwest at the extrior of Thompson's Grocieries and Confectionary.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from Henderson's Directories (1917-1955) for Brandon, MB.