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# Historic Richmond bricks free to good home
- URL: https://www.grandviewindependent.com/historic-richmond-bricks-free-to-good-home/
- Published: 2024-12-20T21:41:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-17T18:26:08.000Z
- Author: Linda Hemmila
- Tags: Richmond History

The Brickyard Landing Owners Association will offer historic Richmond-made bricks to Richmond non-profits and civic organizations at an event slated for January.

The bricks are what's left of the historic chimney and kiln, which were once part of the Richmond Pressed Brick Company, which had to be demolished for safety reasons.

Founded in the early 1900s, the Richmond Pressed Brick Company, a Los Angeles Brick Company subsidiary, chose to set up shop in Richmond because of the city's proximity to a port near San Francisco and to abundant pure clay in the area.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/12/IMG_7908.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-15-at-2.07.15-PM-1.png)

Photos (L) Linda Hemmila, (R) Richmond Public Library 

In 1907, 30,000 bricks per day were produced in Richmond, and by 1921, the burgeoning manufacturer was no longer a subsidiary but; it had become its own company. The bricks were used in many Bay Area buildings, and according to the [Historical Marker Database](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=94739&ref=grandviewindependent.com), they were also used in Standard Oil’s first California refinery.

"Richmond Reds were bricks made of clay dug from a nearby hill and turned red by baking in the kilns. Shipped by railroad or barged from a small wharf built in the cove, "reds" were used to construct many Bay Area buildings, including San Francisco's Palace Hotel and parts of Standard Oil's first California refinery," The Historical Marker Database says.  
  
Eventually, the development of modern building materials led to the demise of local brick yards, and the utilization of bricks became obsolete.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/53/c7/53c7637d-655b-417c-b207-9b692de9e67f/content/images/2024/12/IMG_8732-1-1-1.jpg)

Photo/ Linda Hemmila

Steven Paskowitz, Vice President of the Brickyard Landing Homeowners Association, said the bricks will be available at an event in January for those who are interested.

"The Richmond Historic Commission required us to store the bricks and provide them to Richmond non-profits and civic organizations," Paskowitz said. "We are planning an event in January to make the bricks available." 

The bricks are stamped "Richmond," with many that are whole, in good condition, and suitable for display or decoration. 

Richmond civic organizations can contact [office@brickyardlanding.org](mailto:office@brickyardlanding.org) to make special arrangements.  

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