Growth of Clay Industry.
The Mason City, Iowa, Times says: The evolution in the manufactured products of clay, has been one of the marvels in the development of Iowa Clay which only a few years ago had no seeming value, is now one of the most valuable of the mineral products. In this city alone out of the earth daily is dug the material which, when put through certain processes, is worth thousands of dollars.
The Farmers Co-operative company is now putting the finishing touches to a brick and tile plant, which will cost $185,000, and is to be the largest and the best plant in the world, of its kind. When this is completed it will make the ninth clay products plant for Mason City and this gives the city the distinction of being the greatest brick and tile producing city in the world. All the material for the manufacture of brick and tile are to be found just beneath the surface of the land, and the supply is sufficient to last a million years.
What an evolution it has been. By the 15th of November when the last plant is completed, Mason City will be shipping sixty-three car loads of brick and tile every day. There is no possibility of overstocking the market. The more used the greater the demand seems to be. The tile is regarded as good for the land in dry seasons as in wet. When it is wet it will dry the land out by carrying away the water. When it is dry the air circulates freely and the soil is very much more productive. So the demand increases. This means that two and a half train loads of brick and tile will go out of this city daily.
The first brick were made in Mason City in 1861 since which time the development has been constant.
SOME OLD-TIME BRICK
The first brick were made in Mason City, Iowa, in 1861. Today there are nine big plants operating at Mason City and shipping 60 cars of clay products daily.
Nelson Gaylord who made the first brick still lives at Nora Springs near Mason City. He was a pioneer in brick making and used pioneer methods. Some of his first brick entered into the construction of what was known as “The Brick School House” a sign board for hundreds of pioneer travelers. This building was torn down a short time ago and the brick, after having stood in rain and storm, sunshine and shade for half a century were even better than when put into the building. Mr. Gaylord will put one of the old fashioned board molds used to make brick and one of the brick burned in 1861, in the public library at Charles City under charge of the Floyd County Historical society. (American Clay Magazine, Bucyrus, Ohio, December 1910, Volume 4, Number 4)