Western Virginia, especially near New Cumberland, had lots of clay for making bricks. Families like the Porters and Mackeys started brick businesses using local clay and firewood, later switching to gas and coal. Bricks were shipped by river and then by railroad.

From 1840 to 1910, New Cumberland—nicknamed "Brickyard Bend"—was the top brick-making town in the U.S., shipping millions of bricks each year. After World War I, the industry declined due to high shipping costs, less clay, and new building materials.