BRICKWORKS & POTTERIES
OF THE IPSWICH (Qld) REGION
Alister J Cameron
BRICKWORKS & POTTERIES
OF THE IPSWICH (Qld) REGION
Alister J Cameron
Aka: Hendra Brick & Tile Works; Virginia Brick & Tile Works; Virginia Brick & Tile Co.; Virginia Brick & Pipe Co.; Enoggera & Virginia Bricks & Pipes; Qld Brick & Tile Co.
“The clay pits in the CBD were eventually abandoned and the suburb of Clayfield, named after the many pits scattered across the area, became a new centre of production.
The most prominent pit measured a depth of 30-40 feet and was operated by the Hendra Brick and Tile Works, established in 1882.
When the North Coast Railway opened in 1885 the works were transferred to a location west of the Virginia railway station and re-named the Virginia Brick and Tile Works. Some sources claim that the suburb was named after the company and others state the opposite – this point is unclear. One source of fuel for the Virginia brickworks as well as for the railway was the small coal mine operating at the North bank of Kedron Brook at Toombul, which is now a popular walking track with signs commemorating the history of the site.”
“The Virginia company later changed its name to Enoggera and Virginia Bricks and Pipes and expanded its operation to Pickering Street in Alderley.”
Source: Facebook: “House Histories”
Description: Light Orange-Grey Blotched Brick.
Condition: Some fissures and crumbling of edges.
Type: House Brick.
Frog: Large rectangular depression with inscription; screw marks either side. Flat on rear.
Inscription: “VIRGINIA” (raised lettering).
Origin: Fernie Creek Colliery site, Swanbank.
Current Location: My Collection.
Description: Very Grainy White Brick.
Condition: Very crumbled. Many impurities.
Type: Refractory Brick (Fire Brick).
Frog: Double rectangular indentation one side with inscription. Single rectangular depression other side.
Inscription: “VIRGINIA” “FIRE BRICK” (raised lettering).
Origin: Fernie Creek Colliery site, Swanbank.
Current Location: My Collection.
Description: Light Coloured Brick.
Condition: Very Crumbled.
Type: Refractory Brick (Fire Brick).
Frog: Shallow, narrow frog with inscription. Two large screw marks inside frog. Two large screw marks on rear.
Inscription: “VIRGINIA” “FIRE BRICK” (raised lettering).
Origin: Brick sale at Sapar Landscape Supplies, Tivoli.
Current Location: My Collection.
Description: Brown Multi-coloured Brick. Many impurities.
Condition: Largely intact.
Type: House Brick.
Frog: Large, shallow frog with angular edges. Each end of frog patterned. Raised inscription with screw marks each end of frog. Large half circles each end of rear face.
Inscription: “VIRGINIA” (raised lettering).
Origin: Brick auction Brisbane area.
Current Location: My Collection.
Description: Light-Brown Brick.
Condition: Major crumbling. Large quantities of mortar; especially on the rear.
Type: House Brick.
Frog: Shallow, rectangular frog. Large, raised inscription with large screw marks either end of frog. Small raised inscription bottom of frog.
Inscription: “VIRGINIA” with small “1896” at bottom of frog. Raised lettering.
Origin: Brick auction, Brisbane area.
Current Location:
Description: Dark Red Brick
Condition: Slightly deformed. Much crumbling.
Type: House Brick.
Frog: One side large angular rectangle with inscription +screw marks; other flat.
Inscription: “ENOGGERA” “VIRGINIA” (raised lettering).
Origin: Underpass area, Karrabin west.
Current Location: My Collection.
Description: Smooth, Red Brick. Mortar one end.
Condition: Largely intact.
Type: House Brick.
Frog: Angular frog with inscription. Two circular marks on back.
Inscription: “ENOGGERA” “VIRGINIA” (raised lettering).
Origin: Entry area of Morris Woollen Mills site.
Current Location: My Collection.