Old Virginia Brick

[PFMcFarland]

The Old Virginia Brick company was sold at auction, with four parcels of land in three counties, including the brick making factory just west of Salem, VA. I had some film left in the Nikon N90s, and in between bouts of rain showers took some photos to document the place before it possibly is no more.

On the grounds is a 9/11 Memorial constructed of two pieces of steel framing from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It was originally going to be sold with the brick plant, but then was put up for separate bid, with the proceeds to go to the 9/11 Memorial Foundation. That brought some negative press, and the Foundation refused to accept any money raised in such a fashion, so the decision was made to donate it to the city of Salem, VA, where they plan to install it in one of their parks.

It’s sad to note that the reason the company went under is a lack of brick being used in new home construction.


Old Virginia Brick Sign by P F McFarland, on Flickr



Corridor by P F McFarland, on Flickr



Leaning Power by P F McFarland, on Flickr



The Pile by P F McFarland, on Flickr



Chagrined by P F McFarland, on Flickr



9-11 Memorial 1 by P F McFarland, on Flickr



9-11 Memorial 4 by P F McFarland, on Flickr

More at https://flic.kr/s/aHskekHfEU

PF

[Bennybee]

A very nice set of pictures Phil, and a great idea to preserve before it disappears.
Benny

[minoly]

Phil, It's just great that you documented that brickworks. As you say, establishments like that can slip away quickly and need to be caught. I think that the photo of last inventory is really effective within a high standard set.

I live in the central part of a Midwestern city so about every 5 to 10 blocks there is a street with mixed zoning. By now just about all the "streetcar service shops" like drugstores, small grocery, bakery, hardware etc. are gone or "repurposed". Then there were factories... can't tell you all the regrets I have for missing things like the old Minneapolis Moline plant (farm machinery), even though the bus I took as a student went by it every day. Anyway, thanks for the good work in your area. Bill D.