04/24/2026
Hanna Brothers Brickyard, East Sullivan c.1905. Brickyards had been in use here since the 1700s, with abundant clay and many houses utilizing bricks in their construction, particularly for their large ovens and fireplaces.
On August 1, 1904, Gipson and Dallas Hanna leased a parcel of land in the lower field of Herbert O. Johnson for the purpose of building and maintaining a brickyard along with shore privileges for building a wharf for shipping bricks, paying rent of $135 a year. The first two years were profitable and the Hannas added sleeping quarters to the shed chambers to board the men working for the brickyard, but the clay ran out within a year or two and the brothers referred their business to George Patten's operation.
Civil War veteran George Patten's brickyard had been in operation since the late 1870s, just east of the road to Sorrento, which he ran for many years. Prior to that, Edward Noyes, who had lost his arm in the war, operated a brickyard on the shore of Flanders Bay from 1870. Nathaniel Noyes was also said to have had a large brickyard on Waukeag Neck where the Blink Bonnie golf course is now.
It was said that the so-called "Brickyard Parties" were among the most enjoyable held in this area. Every October the kilns were burned on the full moon. An immense stack of molded, raw bricks with ovens made on the floor about 10 or 12 feet apart, running the width of the yard. Several cords of wood were dropped and fires started in each oven. Stokers tended these fires night and day for a week to get the brick evenly burned, and these fires offered a great chance for fun. Every night there were folks to roast corn, apples, and other fall offerings, but one night would be reserved for the grand jubilee. Besides roasting food and eating it, the brickyard floor was as smooth as a dance floor, and used for that purpose with square dances and games held. With music provided by a harmonica, fiddle, and the voices of all present, everyone went home in the early morning hours in the happiest mood.
