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Weiser Brick Company

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Brickmaker Locates in Weiser
June 11, 1896 – Mr. Alexander Gordon, a practical brick maker, has decided to establish a brick yard in Weiser, Idaho. He plans to use the “old Jenne yards” for his operations. Gordon, who recently arrived from Colfax, Washington, believes that Weiser will be a better location for his headquarters to supply surrounding areas.
Currently, Mr. Gordon has a contract in Huntington for 60,000 bricks, which he will produce and ship from Weiser. With the anticipation of increased building activity in the near future, Weiser is poised to be an ideal location for his business.
Mr. Gordon is planning to move his family to Weiser by the end of the week. His presence in the town and the competitive prices at which he will sell bricks are expected to encourage further building in Weiser.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Thu, Jun 11, 1896 – Page 3
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Alexander Gordon’s New Home and Brick Yard Plans
December 3, 1896 – Alexander Gordon has constructed a new dwelling house on Monroe Creek, about a mile from Weiser.
He plans to relocate his brick yard to that area in the spring. The new location is advantageous due to the proximity of good clay and sand, which will streamline the brick-making process.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho -Thu, Dec 3, 1896 – Page 2
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Brick Mason Returns to Weiser
Wm. Hamilton, a skilled brick mason who previously worked on the Ayers and other buildings in Weiser two years ago, has returned to the area after spending some time in La Grande.
He plans to remain in Weiser and will now be conducting business as a contractor on his own account. Notably, Alex Gordon, Jr., who is also a part of the local community, is his son-in-law.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Thu, Nov 16, 1899 – Page 2 
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Alexander Gordon’s Confidence in Weiser’s Building Prospects
January 11, 1900 – Alexander Gordon, Weiser’s brick manufacturer, visited the Signal office, expressing great confidence in the town’s building prospects for the year. Demonstrating his faith, he has ordered a new, expensive repress brick machine to produce high-quality pressed bricks for building fronts.
After producing 1,100,000 bricks last season, and with only 500,000 remaining in stock, Mr. Gordon is preparing to manufacture 2,000,000 bricks this year to meet the anticipated demand.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Thu, Jan 11, 1900 – Page 2 
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Our Brick Industry
(Click Image for Enlargement)
The brick industry in Weiser is gaining importance, thanks to the dedication and expertise of Mr. Alex Gordon. By focusing closely on his business, Mr. Gordon has successfully established a thriving brick manufacturing operation in the town. Beyond the consistent local demand, the industry is now expanding with orders for at least four cars of bricks destined for Payette for residential construction, and eight cars for Sumpter, Oregon.
The bricks produced at the Gordon yards are known for their quality—being square, heavy, well-burned, and uniform in color. Currently, the yards are operating at full capacity. All the wood used for burning the bricks is sourced from Oregon, with the Oregon Short Line (O.S.L.) handling transportation. There is also an expectation that the Pacific & Idaho Northern Railway (P. & I. N.) should soon reach timber areas, but progress on that front has been slower than anticipated.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Thu, May 31, 1900 – Page 2
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Making Pressed Brick in Weiser
Gordon & Son have recently begun operating their new pressed brick machine at the Weiser Brick Yards. The results have been impressive, with Mr. Gordon distributing several samples of the unburned bricks around town.
These samples have garnered favorable comments from local brick experts, highlighting the quality of the product being produced. The new machinery seems to be a successful addition to the brick-making process in Weiser.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Wed, Jul 16, 1902 – Page 4
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Large Brick Store Building Under Construction in Weiser
(Click Image for Enlargement)
November 19, 1902 – Construction has begun on a new brick store building on Eoff Street (1904 city ordanance – The portion of Eoff Street east of State Street is hereby changed to East Idaho Street, and the portion west of State Street is hereby changed to West Idaho Street,) opposite McBratney’s store. Gordon & Son started placing materials on the site Monday for the building, commissioned by Dr. G.M. Waterhouse.
The store will be 25×70 feet, with a large cellar beneath, and will eventually be two stories tall. Due to the late season, only the first story will be completed this winter, with the second story planned for early spring. The building is set to be occupied by the Weiser Mercantile Company once finished. Construction will proceed quickly to ensure the building is ready before the weather turns too cold.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Wed, Nov 19, 1902 – Page 1
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Court Dismissals
The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal reports several dismissals in recent court cases. Among them:
  • The case of Wm Riggs, who was charged with grand larceny, has been dismissed.
  • The case of Maud Dengler vs. Fred Dengler was also dismissed.
  • M.O. Reed vs. J.P. Gray was dismissed.
  • G.O. Ohl vs. Martha Ohl ended in a divorce being granted.
  • Mail H. Price vs. Kate E. Price was dismissed.
  • The case of Alex Gordon & Son vs. Boston & Seven Devils Copper Co. was dismissed as well.
These dismissals conclude a range of legal matters in the local court system.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho  – Wed, Jan 21, 1903 – Page 1
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Increasing Brick Production Capacity
(Click Image for Enlargement)
June 20, 1903 – A. Gordon & Son are enhancing their brick yard in Weiser by installing a new stock brick machine, which will have a production capacity of about 25,000 bricks per day. They recently secured contracts for 150,000 bricks in Ontario and 100,000 in Payette, adding to their current stockpile of approximately 500,000 bricks.
The new machine will enable them to produce higher-quality bricks to meet growing demand and ensure timely fulfillment of orders.
Known for producing the best bricks in the state, Gordon & Son are continuously expanding their production capabilities.
From The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal – Weiser, Idaho – Sat, Jun 20, 1903 – Page 2
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The Turner Family got their 45,000 bricks from Weiser Brick Company in 1917, and then hauled them to the Oregon side of the Snake, to build their Brick House.
From Turner Family History
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Theater Man Dies in Boise
August 16, 1943 – Alexander Cornell Gordon, 71, a prominent Boise theater owner and Idaho resident for 45 years, passed away Sunday morning at his home on North Twenty-fourth Street in Boise.
Born on March 29, 1872, in Saranac, Michigan, Mr. Gordon spent much of his early years in Michigan and Minnesota, where he worked with his father in the brick manufacturing business. In 1897, he relocated to Port Orchard, Washington, to run a brick manufacturing operation and contributed to the construction of the Cascade Locks.
Mr. Gordon moved to Weiser in 1898, where he established another successful brick manufacturing plant (Weiser Brick Company.) This facility, operational for 45 years, supplied bricks for numerous structures between Boise and La Grande, Oregon.
In 1916, Mr. Gordon shifted to the motion picture industry in Weiser (Star Theater) and later purchased the Rialto Theater in Boise in 1928. In 1938, he expanded his ventures by building the Rio Theater adjacent to the Rialto.
He married Bessie B. Hamilton in December 1898 in La Grande. Mr. Gordon was a member of Boise Lodge 310, B.P.O.E., and the K. of P. Lodge in Weiser.
Surviving Mr. Gordon are his widow, three sons—Howard Gordon of Weiser, Stanley Gordon, and Harry Gordon of Boise—two daughters, Miss Orpha Gordon of Los Angeles and Mrs. Virginia Cross of Seattle, as well as five grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at Northam Chapel in Weiser, with Rev. Ed Cunningham officiating. Myrtle Lodge of K. of P. will conduct the services at the family plot at Hillcrest. Schreiber and McCann of Boise are handling arrangements.
From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Feb, 1, 1943 – Page 3
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