Name/Title
S05.23.008Description
An example of an Ohio paving brick. Paving bricks labeled as Speedway Block were manufactured at Alliance, Stark County, Ohio. This use of the term speedway was likely a promotional tactic for advertising the quality of the brick product by relating it to the famous Indianapolis Speedway racetrack. Note the rounded lugs on this paver. Raised areas, whether lettering or lugs, played an important part in the laying of the brick by keeping the bricks spaced apart just enough to allow pitch or sand to be introduced between them. This process helped to secure the roadbed. The image was taken by Michael D. Williams in the summer of 1999. Location given is the place where the private collection of bricks was stored in Oak Hill, Jackson County, Ohio.
REVIEW
The location given for the brick samples is not for where the brick was originally produced. These bricks came from the private collection of Steven D. Blankenbeker and were photographed by Ohio Department of Natural Resources Communications Group photographer Michael D. Williams for the 1998 Report on Ohio Mineral Industries. The location given for the images is where Michael D. Williams photographed them at Steven D. Blankenbeker's place of employment, Cedar Heights Clay Company in Oak Hill, Jackson County, Ohio. The brick collection no longer exists. Bricks were given away by Mr. Blankenbeker before a move out of state.
For information about the brick industry in Ohio, see: The Paving Brick Industry in Ohio by Steven D. Blankenbeker (Ohio Division of Geological Survey, Report on Ohio Mineral Industries, 1998). or: The Paving Brick Industry in Ohio by Steven D. Blankenbeker (Ohio Division of Geological Survey, Ohio Geology Newsletter, 1999, No.3).
This slide image included in the USGS National Digital Catalog for NGGDPP Grant G15AP00115 in FY2015.Context
Up close view of brick engraved with "Speedway Alliance, O Block". Made in Alliance, Ohio.