Hittin' the Bricks: A Historical Visit to Grand Ledge Face Brick Co. In-Person
Grand Ledge has hosted many industries-- among the best remembered are those using the area abundant clay resources to make brick, tile and other products. Join us for a trip back to the heyday of brick and clay product manufacturing here in Grand Ledge. We'll learn a bit of the history of clay products production, the companies involved and take a hike to the ruins of the former Grand Ledge Face Brick Company-- now Lincoln Brick Park.
We'll also see some of the artistic creations in clay made by the workers as well.
Presentation by Steven Smith, member Central Michigan Lapidary & Mineral Society
- Date:
- Thursday, July 23, 2026
- Time:
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Parks: Lincoln Brick Park (Map )
- Audience:
- Ages: 18+ (Adults)
- Categories:
- Special Events
Featured site:
In 1914, Baker Clay Company was founded, which would later become the Grand Ledge Face Brick Company. Grand Ledge brick was used to build the Grand Ledge Library, Grand Ledge Post Office, Grand Ledge City Hall, and Sawdon School. In 1947, the Grand Ledge Face Brick Company closed. In 1975, the land used for Grand Ledge Face Brick Company was sold to Eaton County. The site is now Lincoln Brick Park.
Other important clay manufacturing companies in Grand Ledge include:
Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Company, founded in 1886, later known as American Vitrified. In 1923 the American Vitrified plant burned down and in 1924 it was rebuilt, larger than before. American Vitrified, formerly Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe, closed in 1966.
Grand Ledge Clay Products was founded In 1906. They mainly produced clay conduits for underground telephone wires--many streets in Chicago still have Grand Ledge tiles underneath them. In 1986, Grand Ledge Clay Products, in business since 1906, closed.