St. Francis Explorations
Learn more about St. Francis by following the links below:
Early brick factories
Address:
201 West U.S. 36
St. Francis,
KS
67756
Telephone Number:
785.332.2504
Second Telephone Number:
785.332.3142
Website:
About this Exploration:
In August 1888, arrangements for the opening "of the most extensive brick manufacturer...to be found in western Kansas or Nebraska" were made. Four months later the factory closed and about 75,000 bricks along with various other articles were sold.
In March 1907, a group of fifteen stockholders formed the St. Francis Brick Manufacturing Company. "All necessary machinery has been purchased and before the middle of April a force of men will be at work on the north side of the river molding brick...At the present prices of lumber it will be much cheaper to build with home burned brick than with lumber." In April 1913, the business was sold at public auction.
Several examples of the brick can be seen today at the current Midwest Energy office at 103 West Washington, a private home on East Spencer and at the entrance to the Cheyenne County Museum at 201 West U.S. 36. Also many older homes have chimneys made from the bricks.