This page is an article about Norcross Brick Company in White Earth. For the Detroit Lakes Brick Company, see Norcross Brick (Detroit Lakes)
Ex-Sheriff W. R. Norcross was visible in our village on Thursday, sizing up the prospect of a brick contract. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, March 2, 1889, Volume II, Number 14, Page 4)
For The New Mission School. Mr. Duclos, an experienced brick manufacturer from Little Falls, came up here last week at the instance of Rev. Father Aloysious, O. S. B., his presence here was for the purpose of ascertaining the location and testing the quality of clay for brick material adjacent to the village and with a view of establishing a brick yard the coming Spring and manufacturing the brick to be used in the building of the St. Benedict Mission School to be established at this agency under the auspices of and through the benign munificence of those noble lady philanthropists, the Drexel sisters of Philadelphia. Mr. Duclos is well satisfied with the quality of the clay tested and believes that it can be utilized and manufactured into an excellent class of brick. The cord wood needed for the brick kilns has been contracted for, and, at this writing, is about half cut. It is probable that the brick needed for the exterior finish of the buildings will be purchased from some point outside, however, this cannot be positively ascertained until a more thorough test of the kiln manufactured brick at this place, can be had. Should the test prove satisfactory then no material of that class will be purchased outside but will be manufactured here. In next week’s issue we will endeavor to give our readers a full and detailed description of the proposed new school buildings. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, March 9, 1889, Volume II, Number 15, Page 4)
The cutting of the cord wood to be used at the brick kilns the coming summer is a great boon to many of our people who were straitened in their circumstances, and comes most opportune at a season when game and fish are scarce and difficult to procure. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, March 9, 1889, Volume II, Number 15, Page 4)
The wood to be employed at the brick kilns, the coming summer, has been cut and delivered. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, March 16, 1889, Volume II, Number 16, Page 4)
W. A. Norcross, of Detroit, and who is to supervise the manufacture of the bricks to be employed in the construction of the St. Benedict mission school, was here on Friday. Mr. Norcross expects to commence work here sometime during the coming week. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, May 18, 1889, Volume II, Number 24, Page 4)
New For Bricks. On Wednesday work was commenced by Mr. W. R. Norcross on the scene of the new brick yard. The kilns and yard will be situated a short distance South-west of the Mission church. A force of men are now busy, at work, preparing the yard bed, etc. We are informed that, from recent test of the clay and sand to be employed, it is believed that a quality of bricks can be manufactured here that, for firmness of texture and durability, will be second to none in the State. If such should prove a fact we opine that it would be a good investment, after Mr. Norcross has fulfilled his contract, for some of our wide awake people to purchase the plant, etc. and continue the manufacture of bricks. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, May 25, 1889, Volume II, Number 25, Page 4)
The first brick kiln will be ready to "fire" some time during the coming week. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, June 29, 1889, Volume II, Number 29, Page 4)
’Tis Baking Now. The first brick kiln manufactured by Mr. W. H. Norcross, to be employed in the construction of the Catholic mission school building, and containing about 175,000 bricks, was fired on Thursday. "Billy" has every confidence to believe that his White Earth brick venture will be a success in every way, and that the brick manufactured will be equal in grade to the best in this or any other state. We don’t know of any one to whom success could more fittingly bestow her favors than to W. H. Norcross, that is, if hard, honest and earnest labor enters as a criterion to deserving worth. (The Progress, White Earth, Minnesota, Saturday, July 13, 1889, Volume II, Number 31, Page 4)
In the neighborhood of White Earth and Ogema are several swamps and lakes containing clays which were used to make brick for the construction of the government industrial school for the Indians. Very attractive and durable bricks were made, though a few lime pebbles are visible. If the market warrants it, there are no doubt numerous deposits of such clay in this neighborhood worthy of exploitation. (Clays and Shales of Minnesota, Frank F. Grout and E. K. Soper, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1914, Page 68)