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The Laguna Limekilns: Bonny Doon

Firebricks at the Laguna Limekilns

by Robert W. Piwarzyk

Some brick pieces can be found in the remaining lining of both kilns, and in the rubble around the kilns. Brick has also been found along the creek banks, as the flat area in front of the kilns was built up using kiln waste for fill.

The remaining lining in the left kiln has only chunks of brick embedded in mortar. However, there are impressions of brick in the wall mortar which indicate that the bricks in the outer layer of the lining have been scavenged. Fire chamber floors made from "Calder" firebrick were uncovered in the left kiln. Otherwise only two whole brick were found. It has been possible to determine names by fitting overlapping pieces together and by recognizing names found on bricks at other sites.

The following bricks were found at the site from October of 1975 to March of 1996:

Note: / denotes the beginning of a new line on the brick

Also found were several pieces of "arch" brick (keystone shaped), without any name, and one common red brick with a vitrified end (black and glazed).

Except for the LAPBCo / * * * brick (Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company), and the RBC (Richmond Brick Company?), these firebricks were most likely all imported from Europe. The discussion, presented under "Firebricks" in the interpretive section of this report, tells what is known about each brick. Adapted from "Bricks and Brickmaking," by Karl Gurcke, it is used with the author's permission.

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