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Kilns Rise From Brick Rubble

Photo courtesy of Carol Curtiss

About 1,000 fire bricks were removed from the former Wenczel Tile plant.

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By MARK HOLAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

PORT TAMPA - Kiln bricks from the former Wenczel Tile plant are about to get fired up again after being cold for more than 15 years.

About 1,000 of the heat-resistant yellow bricks have been salvaged from a pile at the plant by students from the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg College, which are building kilns for their ceramics programs.

The plant, 6608 S. West Shore Blvd., is being redeveloped for an apartment complex.

"It's really nice that we've been able to use the bricks," said Jonathan Barnes, adjunct ceramics professor at St. Petersburg College's Clearwater campus. "We are grateful for the donation."

The donation from property owner John McCrocklin is the result of collaboration with Port Tampa activist Carol Curtiss.

"She asked, 'Do you have any memorabilia to document the history of the plant?'" McCrocklin said. "I said, 'There's some old advertising material, and by the way, do you know anyone that needs any kiln brick?'"

Curtiss, who once hand-painted unfinished tiles from the Wenczel plant, networked among her artist friends and was put in contact with the two ceramics programs.

"It's a neat opportunity," Curtiss said. "I'm just glad it worked out the way it did."

Similar kiln bricks can cost $3.50 apiece, she said .

St. Petersburg College's kiln is nearly completed, Barnes said. A representative of the USF program couldn't be reached for comment.

Many of the bricks are stamped with the names of their makers: H-W Crown, Atlantic First, La Clede, Keystone, S.F.B.C. Standard and H.P. Green Empire D.P.

Wenczel began producing tile for kitchens, bathrooms and floors in Tampa in the 1960s. The company, which also operated a plant in Trenton, N.J., declared bankruptcy in 1993.

Curtiss hopes hundreds of bricks remaining at the site also can be salvaged.

"I can't stand the thought of something being discarded or thrown away," she said.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7651 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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