Colchester, IL – Some improvements are in place at the only National Historic District in McDonough County.
The place is the Moses King Brick & Tile Works National Historic District, better known simply as The Brickyard. The improvements are sturdy steel portals - or entryways - for one of the beehive kilns.
The Brickyard's Tim Schroll says "This is a project to show that there is progress being made. We have to take little steps. That's all we're doing. Find something that's reasonable, attainable, do it, and then get it behind (us)."
The Brickyard held a fundraising campaign to pay for the portals. Schroll says more than 200 people donated. They gave a total of more than $9,000.
Many of the donors showed up for a reception at The Brickyard. It was held to thank contributors and give them a chance to see the completed portals.
Schroll says the next step is to fix the four other beehive kilns, which are not in as good of shape as the kiln with the new portals. Those improvements could prove to be quite expensive.
Schroll says the public is not allowed to simply wander around the grounds because of safety concerns related to the other kilns. He wants to open up the site but cannot do so until all the kilns are secured.
In the meantime, tours are available for a donation.
Schroll says the eventual goal is make The Brickyard a place where people can come to enjoy the history of the site, the art created there, and the environment.
The Moses King Brick & Tile Works National Historic District is located on 11 acres of property. It includes two homes, five outbuildings, and five beehive kilns.
The Moses King Brick & Tile Works began operations in the spring of 1881. During its heyday, the business included seven beehive kilns, two exhaust stacks, a factory/dryer building, and other buildings. 50 tons of clay per day were run through the plant, yielding 60 bricks per minute.
The Brickyard was abandoned in the 1960s. It was acquired by its current owner Dev in the early 1990s. Schroll later married into The Brickyard.
Thanks to the Moses King Brick & Tile Works for the brief history of the site