We asked Bill Streeter, an accomplished documentary filmmaker and tastemaker, to delve into the history of St. Louis bricks and architecture and the motivation behind his film “Brick By Chance And Fortune” (2011).
The Rich History of St. Louis Bricks:
I’ve heard about our fabled, rich red clay deposits and their role in St. Louis’s brick industry. Where are those deposits today? Is clay still being extracted to make bricks? I understand that most of the pits were abandoned and built over in Forest Park, Dogtown, and Clayton.
There is still a lot of clay here, as anyone who has dug in their yard knows. It just became uneconomical to use it. The land became more valuable to build on than to build from. Different types of clay were extracted. Fire clay, which was traditionally mined and often found in coal veins. It was used to make bricks for high-heat industrial applications, such as lining furnaces or ovens. And there was a process called “winning,” which was more like strip mining, to extract the red clay used to make red bricks and other terra cotta products.
As far as US bricks are concerned, how did St. Louis bricks rank, or where are there equal bricks in quality and red rich colors?
For about 40 years, from 1880 to 1920, St. Louis was the world’s largest manufacturer of brick. The Hydraulic Press Brick Company was the largest producer of face brick. They shipped their products worldwide. The Chrysler Building in NY and many buildings elsewhere have bricks manufactured by Hydraulic in their facades. So it was highly regarded for its look, quality, and innovation.
Why did you decide to make your documentary? What was the impetus? What was the biggest thing you learned in making or researching the subject matter?
I made it (“Brick By Chance And Fortune”) because I was interested in making a longer subject film. I had made several short documentaries at that point and wanted to challenge myself with a longer story. But at the time, I wasn’t sure what the subject would be. I knew it had to be local because I had zero budget to travel anywhere.
When a friend from California came through town and commented on all the brick buildings here and how unusual that was for him to see, that gave me the idea that maybe that could be a subject. I did some research and discovered that the story was far more interesting than I expected.
What other cities are known for their bricks?
New York, Baltimore, Chicago. All have different kinds of brick. The oldest ones were manufactured locally. But by the late 19th century, brick had become a mass-produced product, and St. Louis had become dominant in that business.
Where do stolen St. Louis bricks go? New Orleans?
Hard to say, but many of them do end up in the south. Mainly because when they are stolen, the outer brick, which can stand up to weather in the north, is mixed in with the softer brick used to construct the inner courses of walls, and which don’t last very long when used for facades. Sometimes they are processed for and placed on the exterior of a new building just to make it look old.
Is brick theft still a big problem? Is it that profitable?
It comes and goes with the market and the economy. Vintage brick is a commodity with variable market value. So when prices are high, you see more theft. Especially if the economy is bad.
How are the St. Louis Police treating brick theft?
They tend not to take it very seriously. Brick thieves often look like legitimate demolition contractors, and police tend not to check for permits. Plus, these are often high-crime neighborhoods, and they have more pressing crimes to attend to.
Is it true that St. Louis has more bricks than any other US city?
I have never heard this. We probably made more bricks than any other city at one time. But that’s not true anymore.
What current city or state is now known for brick manufacturing? Who replaced St. Louis for brick manufacturing?
There is no single US city or state that is known for brick manufacturing today. Most modern brick manufacturing in the US happens in Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Illinois, and probably a few other states. I am told by the Internet that the largest manufacturers are in India and China. This question is really outside my area of expertise, since I primarily focused on historical manufacturing in St. Louis for my documentary.
When did builders stop using bricks in new home construction?
They still do, but the methods have changed. For instance, old brick buildings are often solid brick, while modern construction relies on a wood or steel frame with brick facades.
They still do. But the process and building techniques are different. For instance, old brick buildings are often solid brick. Where new construction relies on building a wood or steel frame and then putting bricks on the facade.
What are some of the most famous brick structures or homes in St. Louis?
Some of the most prominent are the Wainwright building by Louis Sullivan downtown, City Hall (limestone brick), Union Station, Powell Hall, The Peabody, The Fox Theatre, and pretty much all the large, famous civic and commercial buildings in St. Louis are brick, so the most famous are the most famous buildings in St. Louis.
Which areas of St. Louis showcase the glory years of bricks?
The interesting thing about St. Louis is that you can see every era and innovation in brick building technology over the years. From handmade bricks made on site to more modern pressed bricks
Are we losing our historic brick homes and landmarks?
Yes, very much so. Mostly from neglect and poverty. The St. Louis Tornado: Brick Damage & Loss last year has sped up this process.
Who were the original bricklayers and tuckpointers? The French, Italians, Germans, and Irish?
Brick making and brick laying were very labor-intensive, and much of that labor, outside of laying it up, required very little skill, like just moving bricks from one place to another. So all ethnic groups, especially newcomers who didn’t speak English, were involved in the trade. However, there was a hierarchy. Irish and Italians tended to work in manufacturing. Irish and English tended to lay bricks, and the English were the ones who tended to have the skill to lay decorative facades with complex patterns, etc. A skill that required far more training than just laying up the interior courses of brick.
What were some of the most surprising things you learned when researching your film?
The depth of interest in St. Louis’ brick heritage was really surprising to me. When I made the film, I assumed it would find a small niche audience of nerds like myself who are interested in brick building and architecture. But St. Louisans are fiercely proud of their history, so I guess any story about St. Louis history is going to find an audience here as long as it’s well-told.
Where can someone interested in the history of St. Louis brick and masonry find your documentary?
On YouTube at https://youtu.be/6d3uzp_lfEw
Do you plan to make a follow-up or another arts-related or local architectural-themed documentary or short?
Maybe! I am currently making a series of documentary essay videos for my YouTube channel, and there are some topics related to historic preservation and buildings that I might develop into videos. We’ll see.
Bill Streeter is our local Renaissance man–filmmaker, documentarian, historian, music enthusiast, and the owner of the most fashionable specs in St. Louis. A native of Chicago, Streeter has made St. Louis his own home and is involved in St. Louis’ vibrant music and film scene. You can view or purchase his St. Louis brick documentary, “Brick By Chance And Fortune,” on YouTube or purchase it on Amazon Prime.