“Dilapidated” doesn’t even begin to describe the state of these ruins. You’re looking at the United Brick Corporation Brick Company. It’s a forgotten piece of Washington D.C.’s industrial past.
This complex represents the only remaining brickyard in the city. It is also one of the few examples of the rounded “beehive” kiln style. Access is restricted because the site sits on federal land.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine this area bustling with activity. The United Brick Corporation Brick Company started its life in 1909. At that time, brick-making was very labor intensive. It was difficult to transport bricks over long distances. Washington D.C. had around 100 brickyards to meet the local demand.
This particular brickyard sourced its clay from the nearby Anacostia River. Workers mixed the clay with water and sand. Then they cut it into the desired brick shape. The bricks were heated in large kilns for several days. After that, they were allowed to cool before shipping.
Originally, the factory had rectangular kilns. Nine iconic circular beehive kilns were constructed between 1927 and 1931. Three more kilns were added later. The complex also included eight exhaust stacks. There was also a small gauge rail system. You can still see a factory building and a drying shed with 38 drying tunnels.
Over the years, several companies operated here. These included the Hudson Brick and Supply Company. The United Clay Products Company also operated here. In 1930 the United Brick Corporation bought the complex.
This brickyard became one of the largest in the District. Bricks from here went into many important buildings. These included apartment complexes. They also supplied bricks for the New Executive Office Building and the National Cathedral. By 1966, the United Brick Corporation was shipping out 145000 bricks every day.
The United Brick Corporation had major competitors. Washington Brick Company and West Brothers Brick Company also supplied bricks.
After World War II, the brickyard business declined. Ferro-concrete became more popular in construction. The brick industry consolidated. Beehive kilns couldn’t compete with modern tunnel kilns. Forklifts could not move bricks efficiently in beehive kilns. Beehive kilns also could not be fired continuously.
The United Brick Corporation Brick Company closed in 1972. In 1976, the United States Department of Agriculture acquired the site. The National Arboretum maintains it. The National Register of Historic Places added the complex in 1978.
There were plans to restore the site. The idea was to teach the history of brick-making. But the money never materialized. So, the United Brick Corporation Brick Company was fenced off. It slowly became overgrown.
Today, the ruins stand as a silent reminder. They remind us of the city’s industrial past. They also remind us of the vital role bricks played in building Washington D.C. The United Brick Corporation Brick Company may be in ruins. But its story remains etched in the bricks of the city.