Old brick street before bricks were salvaged. (more pictures)
By the early 1900s, brick pavers created by the Kushequa Brick Co. were in use for paving and construction projects from Toronto to Washington and from New York to Chicago. Now, you can add a piece of this legacy to your driveway or landscape project with our beautiful, reclaimed Kushequa bricks.
Known for their deep red color, Kushequa bricks come in a narrow color range and consistent size, lending themselves well to unique designs and installations, like a herringbone pattern. These historic bricks also boast a higher-than-average aspect ratio, giving them a finer texture than other pavers.
Contact us today to discuss your needs and vision. To learn more about the history of Kushequa bricks, scroll to the History section below.
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Oxbloods. Devonshires. Velcurs. As the Kushequa Brick Company grew in the early 1900s, these bricks made their way to such cities as New York, Chicago, Boston, Toronto and Washington, D.C. Known for their fortitude and deep red color, our reclaimed Kushequa bricks are an ideal paving material for your landscaping, patio or driveway today.
In McKean County, located in Northern Pennsylvania, the Kushequa Brick Company maintained three active plants, producing brick pavers and tile in various sizes. As a 1912 trade publication noted, “It is possible to meet any demand for face and paving block” with the plants’ impressive equipment and innovative methods (for example, a portable gasoline-powered drilling machine saved costs over hand-drilling methods).
The company was founded and operated by Elisha K. Kane, a Princeton-educated businessman, railroad tycoon and frequent third-party political candidate. Born in 1856, Kane was named after his uncle, Elisha Kent Kane, the famed Artic explorer who died three months after his nephew was born.
Kane was enterprising and resourceful. Prior to opening the brick company, he owned multiple railroads and a lumber business. In 1893, his lumberyard and mill were destroyed by fire, but within a year, the business was back up and running. Kushequa was the first brick and paving block manufacturer in McKean County, and Kane quickly gained national recognition around the industry.
“By indomitable energy, [Kane] is turning a mountain jungle into a beehive of industry and giving to the builders of the land a beautiful and indestructible material that will be an enduring monument that will tell future generations of his industry and intelligence,” a trade journal declared. Today, by using authentic, salvaged Kushequa bricks, you continue that legacy — while adding historic charm to your property.