New Lynn brick works

My brother-in-law Bob is a bit of an amateur historian. One of his areas of interest is a group of early 20th century charcoal kilns, located not far from his northern-Michigan home. The charcoal kiln operation was tied into a narrow-gauge railroad that ran all over the area. According to Bob, local folklore has it that a small 'donkey' steam-engine, that was used on this line, jumped the tracks at some point and disappeared into the depths of the cedar-swamp that surrounded the tracks. Bob has been interviewing some of the old-timers in the area in the hopes of getting to the 'bottom' of the story, but the old-timers are few and far between these days, so information is scanty. Still, like any good historian, Bob perseveres. 

So, when I came across information recently about the Ambrico Kiln, located in New Lynn, my first thoughts were of "Bob's Kilns" and I knew that I had to, like him, do a bit of research. Bob's research site has been abandoned for the better part of a century, and the kilns are slowly falling to pieces, while the trees surrounding them are growing, demonstrating in a very real way how research becomes ever more difficult with the passage of time. 

I have it much easier. The history of the local brick kiln is very well established and has been brought back to life in many commemorative pieces of brick art and brick buildings, themselves major pieces of art. 

Today's post then, and the next one, are the result of three picture taking expeditions in New Lynn. This was one of dozens of brick works all over the Auckland area. You will see in the series of pictures that follow, that the brick is celebrated all over town. 

I've had some positive comments recently in support of the music I've added to my post at times. And, since I can think of at least four songs that have to do with bricks. I have therefore added this link so that you may start the music and then come back to read about the bricks of New Lynn, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnLo01m8y04 if you should care to.

Here we are at the Ambrico Kiln. 

Coal was shovelled into the top port where it fell on to grates and burned. The openings below were to clean out the clinkers. There are seven more on the other side. 

The wooden roof over the kiln is obviously a more modern addition designed to preserve the site. 

The temperature inside this kiln rose to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat entered from the top and was pulled down over the bricks stacked inside. The floor is perforated with holes, the openings leading to an underground passage that ran to the base of a 100 foot chimney. This chimney is what provided the draft or 'pull' for the high velocity fire storm produced by 14 coal fires which provided the temperatures needed. They produced 30,000 bricks about every two weeks. 

Today, bricks are still all over town. All I had to do was to stroll around the city center and I came across all sorts of 'homages to the brick.'  Take a look...

I like the humor in this one. 

You might remember this photo from the post I did entitled New Lynn on the 6th Day of Christmas. I didn't know the significance of the brick art at the time. 

No, relax, I'm not doing another 'benches' post. It just so happens that this is to one side of the Brick and Pipe Workers Memorial. 

Bricks from all the different brick works around Auckland went into building this memorial.

It's somewhat difficult to see behind the Plexiglas but those are other clay products (like pipes) that were produced. 

And there were lots of buildings too, made from brick. The police station below was built in 1930 and look how well it has been maintained all these years.  

The architectural style is known as 'Stripped Art Deco.'

And here is another building not far away.

It's in good shape too. The sign above the door say, 'The Potter's Post.' The small round sign in the background on the right is the pizza place I featured several posts ago. 

And here is another very important building.

I was glad to happen upon this particular building after wandering around town for two hours.

This is a shot of the War Memorial area opposite the New Lynn Mall. 

The brick theme also extends to local restaurants...

To close today, I'll give you another of the songs about bricks. I first heard this one ages ago... I hope none of the brick workers in New Lynn had this guy's problems. 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxaCfJfw6AY

(the other two songs I thought of are by Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall and Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. )    

I have additional photos now that expand on this post. I'll show them to you next time....