Early Brickyards

Most of the brick made in the county was shaped by the soft mud process in which molds holding one, two, or three bricks were filled with a wet mixture of sandy clay and then turned out to dry in the sun and air until they were sufficiently firm to be fired in a kiln that burned cordwood or coal.  Clays suited to this simple process were obtainable at many locations within the county.  Researchers have found references to brick yards in Lukin and Pinkstaff.  Anthony Shassere, well-known in Vincennes, established a brick yard in Westport just across the river Wabash River.  He has one kiln started by April 1880.