In 1902 Princeton entertained the third annual meeting of the Northwestern Brickmaker's Association. Princeton was selected because at that time Brickton, two miles north, was one of the largest brick manufacturing towns in the state. At the 1902 meeting, E.M. Farnham of Princeton was elected president of the association.
Firms operating in 1902 included Woodcock and Oakes, producing 5,000,000 bricks per year, Princeton Brick Company 4,000,000. Cream Brick and Farnham Brick each with a capacity of 4,000,000 and Kuhn Brothers with a 2,000,000 potential. The combined capacity was close to 20,000,000 brick per year requiring 47 trainloads of 40 cars per train to transport.
For many years clay deposits were known to exist north of Princeton but it was not until railroad transportation was established that an industry developed. According to Wm. S. (Stillman) Oakes, born in Princeton in 1896 and now living in Escondido, California, the first brickyard was established in 1886 by a man named Duncan at the southern limits of the clay deposits, near a small lake just south and east of Brickton.
In 1889, A.W. Woodcock and Frank Campbell are said to have opened the next yard with William H. Oakes, who had learned brick making from his forefathers in Nova Scotia, as foreman. Princeton Brick started in 1892, Kuhn Brothers in 1896 and Cream Brick and Farnham Brothers in 1900.
Each yard employed 40 - 50 men and for many years the brickyard payrolls were the backbone of Princeton's economy. Wages were $1.50 to $1.75 a day.
When the original owners wished to sell out there were others on hand to take their place. Ernest Sellhorn acquired the interest of W.H. Oakes about 1920. Rufus P. Morton took over the Cream Brick Company and operated it until 1929 when it was the last surviving yard and still producing 4,000,000 bricks a year. Clarence Young was another successor manager of a brickyard. The last bricks were made in the 1929 season.
Several reasons have been given for the gradual decline and passing of both the industry and the town of Brickton. Some say the quality clay gave out, some say transportation costs became prohibitive, others conclude that new competition in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area captured the market. Whatever the reasons, the industry did decline and after 36 years of production totaling 800,000,000 brick, manufacturing ceased.
For years after Brickton ceased to produce brick, its product was the standard of quality and Princeton Brick was mentioned in many specifications for public buildings.
Princeton's railroad depot, now the home of the Princeton Community Library and the Mille Lacs County Historical Society was built of brick from Brickton. For many years nearly all the business establishments in Princeton and many of the better homes in the village and surrounding farming communty were built of Princeton brick. The largest of the buildings in which the brick was used which is still standing is what was known as the Odd Fellows block. When the building was finished in January 1902, the following description appeared:
"It is a three-story brick structure, imposing in appearance, substantial and enduring, higher than any other building between Minneapolis and Duluth. It is made from the famous cream-colored Princeton brick. The foundation is sandstone granite, the basement is ten feet deep.
"The store on the north is being occupied by the hardware conducted by B.D. Grant. The store on the south is occupied by the Princeton Roller Mill Company. On the second floor M.S. Rutherford has his real estate offices. Also there are the offices of Judge C.A. Dickey, County Attorney J.A. Ross, Guy Ewing, insurance agent, and the dental offices of C.F. Walker. On the third floor are the lodge rooms for the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. The building is steam heated." The building was dedicated on April 18, 1902.
Horses were the important power in moving materials and finished products around. They worked in the yards during the brick season and in the winter were taken north to the woods for logging operations.
The post office at Brickton was established May 6, 1901. It was discontinued January 15, 1919; reestablished March 15, 1919 and finally discontinued August 14, 1928. Those who served as postmasters were:
Rufus P. Morton, May 6, 1901 to 1912
Horace M. Farnham, February 5, 1912 to 1919
Clarence E. Young, March 15, 1919 to 1928
Brickton also boasted a flourishing school for a number of years. The first school house was sold to Horace Farnham. He added on to it for a home. It is located directly east of the marker and is currently occupied by Dan Howard. The second school house was sold to Lee Sanford. He used material from it to build the home on North Third Street.
Stillman Oakes and Walter Kuhn first suggested that a Brickton historical marker should be erected. Mr. Kuhn passed away and Mr. Oakes moved to California. Oakes sent the first contribution to Helen Snow. Others became interested and contributed and a fund of $650 was obtained. Willis Young wrote the inscripton. A firm in Cincinnati was awarded the contract and erection was completed in November 1976. A dedication ceremony was held May 29, 1977 with Mayor Richard Anderson, Princeton, as the main speaker.
(From: The Princeton Union-Eagle as a public service. Printed May 1977, Princeton, Minnesota)