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Bricks sawed to standard size from local soapstone.
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Archaeology, Cultural Objects

Sawed Soapstone Bricks

People
Maker/Creator: Unknown
Associated Person: W.A. Sowers
Date
1914
Places
Floyd (Courthouse District)
Material/Medium

Soapstone

Specifications
  • Length: 8 inches
  • Width: 4 inches
  • Height: 2 inches
Description

Two pieces of soapstone quarried near the Town of Floyd and sawed into standard-size bricks (one has been halved and has dimensions of 8x2x2 inches). Saw marks are visible on both pieces.  The vein of soapstone used for these has other minerals including iron (rusty patches).

Keywords
Soapstone, The Floyd Press
Bio Sketch

W.A. Sowers was the editor and owner of The Floyd Press. He had this building constructed around 1914.  The 108 South Locust Street structure now serves as an attorney’s office. The two bricks were found in the lower level which housed the newspaper presses. At least three buildings within town limits were constructed in the early 1910s using soapstone bricks.