Written by Crystal was recently featured on this blog and in the Renton Reporter, for studying the history of her Italian ancestry in Renton. She would like your input about these bricks if anyone knows the history on them.
Crystal ( crystalstarr) wrote,@ 2007–12–08 16:00:00 |
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| Entry tags: | bricks, history, renton |
I found these bricks in the Renton Wa area a few weeks back
I’m assuming they come from the Denny Renton clay coal company that used to exist. Nothing unusual about having a Denny-Renton brick if your from that area they can be found anywhere, but these i believe are older from when the company was just named “Renton Clay works” It wasn’t until 1910 it became Denny-Renton. These three do not have the symbol of Denny-Renton.
I’m talking with Rainer Vally Historical Society about the Columbia Brick now as that one is in the best shape and has many unusual markings. Plus it is golden toned not your normal red brick.
“”In 1901 two California entrepreneurs, James Doyle and J. R. Miller, discovered that the shale overlaying the Renton mine’s coal seams produced a high-quality clay. Tests indicated the material would make excellent brick, and with Seattle investor E. J. Mathews, Doyles and Miller organized the Renton Clay Works. They developed a plant on the south bank of the Cedar River that was briefly the largest producer of paving brick in the world. In addition, the Renton plant specialized in fire brick, terra-cotta, and decorative terra-cotta. In 1905 the plant was purchased by Denny Fire Brick Company and the entire company was renamed the Denny-Renton Clay & Coal Company.. “”
info
Hey i wanted to let you know i got a message back from Renton museum on these
“Dear Crystal,
These do look like early Renton Clay Works bricks–we’ve got quite a few of them in our collection. Thanks for sharing your photos–neat stuff!
Best,
Liz Stewart
Elizabeth P. Stewart, Ph.D.
Director, Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
425.255.2330, phone
425.255.1570, fax
estewart@ci.renton.wa.us“
The picture of the top brick is not from Denny Renton. It is from GMcB. Gladding McBean.
I just picked up two pallets of Denny Renton bricks from a friend who had the task of collecting them from the downtown expo cite in the early seventies. His father and acquired them but had to pick them up one by one they were used for the shipping area around the clock tower. I was told they are over 100 years old and made for that job and related conditions. they are all stamped with Denny Renton, they are a ark red and almost burgundy to purple.
I am interested in anything regarding the Denny Renton bricks.
Were these the bricks used in the early 1900’s to build “The Red Brick Road” through Bothell? I am doing a historical study on the brick work and brick workers who were hired to create that road.
Just got back from eastern Washington. Found a Denny Renton among the rocks along the Methow River between Twisp and Winthrop. Looks as if it has been tumbled quite a bit. Looks like a giant vitamin pill! Who knows how it got there … Thought it was worth picking up, although it was half buried. Denny Renton is clearly readable.
Mine has the chambered edge also…anyone know why the have this type of edge. Also four round feet?
I have quite few Denny Renton bricks forming a patio and border along my house.
My Dad acquired these back in the late 60′ and early 70’s from Puget Sound, where Merthal Edwards park is now. They were dumped there from the Denny regrade project.
We would go at low tides and carry them one by one to the car.
I have about a dozen DENNY RENTON bricks that came from the Denny regrade that was done by my Great grandfather. He also did the Montlake Cut.
I just found an old brick in my 1907 garage. The original owner worked for denny Renton brick company. Its very unusual though not like the ones we found in the chimney.
It’s yellow and round at the top with patterns on both sides and 670 stamped on it.
Thanks Judy for your post! If you can send a link to a picture, or email a picture to randy.corman@gmail.com, I would like to add it to this blog entry.
I just found a RENTON brick on the beach of Driftwood Cove, NW end of Colvos Passage, across the water from NW end of Vashon Island. If you give me an email address I will send you a pic. It’s an apricot tone, rough brick.
I just found one working on my yard. I live in
East Wenatchee My house was built in 1960s. The original owner was a rock hound so who knows where he found it. It is red and clearly marked Denny Renton
I just found one working on my yard. I live in
East Wenatchee My house was built in 1960s. The original owner was a rock hound so who knows where he found it. It is red and clearly marked Denny Renton. interesting to know some of the history of it.