River Valley Alliance

River Valley Factoid

Glacial Lake Edmonton clays found in the Capital Region River Valley Park have been used locally to make textured, wire-cut bricks. In 1898, Frank and John Pollard abandoned their trip to the Klondike during a stop in Edmonton. The saw opportunity in the local clays, and started making bricks by hand on the south side of the river, just below today’s High Level Bridge. Bricks fired at Pollard Brothers were used in the construction of many of the older buildings at the University of Alberta. Brick rubble can still be seen west of the first High Level Bridge pier in the lowest river terrace bank.

Download the Clay Brick Production fact sheet ↓