Anyone out there ever heard of "Kankakee Clay Partition"? They are clay
building materials that are throughout an old (mid 19th century) barn
building a group I'm part of is looking to purchase in Peoria, IL.
There's a town called Kankakee not too far from Peoria but so far I haven't
had time to do much digging beyond the internet.

The pieces appear to be extruded blocks where stacked one way you see the
sides and they look solid but stacked the other way you can see the open
structure. I can find some pictures to share if it would help anyone out.

Thanks.

Rich
Chillicothe IL

Rich Gerberding wrote:
Anyone out there ever heard of "Kankakee Clay Partition"? They are clay
building materials that are throughout an old (mid 19th century) barn
building a group I'm part of is looking to purchase in Peoria, IL.
There's a town called Kankakee not too far from Peoria but so far I haven't
had time to do much digging beyond the internet.

The pieces appear to be extruded blocks where stacked one way you see the
sides and they look solid but stacked the other way you can see the open
structure. I can find some pictures to share if it would help anyone out.
....

What specifically do you want/need to know? Sounds like a hollow clay
tile which was (apparently) made locally. Pretty common building
material from the 20s through 50s or so. There were numerous local
manufacturing companies scattered around over the country.

I don't know about earlier than that. Iowa has/had a fair number of
round barns and other structures (silos, etc.). One neat one restored
is the Slayton barn of around 1915

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/hardin/srb.htm

Grandpa was extremely proud of the new hoghouse in an application for
consideration for a "modern farmer" award he filled out in the late
20's -- it was nearly new at the time.

I have no idea whether there's anybody still making a hollow clay tile
or not.

Clay tile or clay blocks were used for non-load bearing partition walls,
some people used them for exterior walls in climates that could tolerate
their use, but they were designed to be a lightweight (compared to solid
brick or concrete) interior partition and were great firewalls. Largely
replaced by lightweight concrete type blocks such as cinder blocks, slag
blocks and other light aggregate concrete units. Also the use of steel studs
with drywall provide an even lighter and removable interior partition now
used in many high-rise buildings.

"Rich Gerberding" wrote in message
news:4jDFg.142833$1i1.101970@attbi_s72...
Anyone out there ever heard of "Kankakee Clay Partition"? They are clay
building materials that are throughout an old (mid 19th century) barn
building a group I'm part of is looking to purchase in Peoria, IL.
There's a town called Kankakee not too far from Peoria but so far I
haven't
had time to do much digging beyond the internet.

The pieces appear to be extruded blocks where stacked one way you see the
sides and they look solid but stacked the other way you can see the open
structure. I can find some pictures to share if it would help anyone
out.

Thanks.

Rich
Chillicothe IL

Sounds like normal terra cotta wall blocks to me. Here is more
information if you want:
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/14512.shtml

These were quite common building units, replaced by CMU today. I
have encountered several gypsum block walls which were similar,
but cast of white gypsum - not as strong as the terra cotta
blocks.

______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Rich Gerberding" wrote in message
news:4jDFg.142833$1i1.101970@attbi_s72...
Anyone out there ever heard of "Kankakee Clay Partition"? They
are clay
building materials that are throughout an old (mid 19th century)
barn
building a group I'm part of is looking to purchase in Peoria,
IL.
There's a town called Kankakee not too far from Peoria but so
far I haven't
had time to do much digging beyond the internet.

The pieces appear to be extruded blocks where stacked one way
you see the
sides and they look solid but stacked the other way you can see
the open
structure. I can find some pictures to share if it would help
anyone out.

Thanks.

Rich
Chillicothe IL

Thanks Dan G, EXT, and dpb for your responses, links, and knowledge.

I appreciate your help!!

Rich




"DanG" wrote in message
news:4nKFg.213216$k%3.1914@dukeread12...

Sounds like normal terra cotta wall blocks to me. Here is more
information if you want:
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/14512.shtml

These were quite common building units, replaced by CMU today. I have
encountered several gypsum block walls which were similar, but cast of
white gypsum - not as strong as the terra cotta blocks.

______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Rich Gerberding" wrote in message
news:4jDFg.142833$1i1.101970@attbi_s72...
Anyone out there ever heard of "Kankakee Clay Partition"? They are clay
building materials that are throughout an old (mid 19th century) barn
building a group I'm part of is looking to purchase in Peoria, IL.
There's a town called Kankakee not too far from Peoria but so far I
haven't
had time to do much digging beyond the internet.

The pieces appear to be extruded blocks where stacked one way you see the
sides and they look solid but stacked the other way you can see the open
structure. I can find some pictures to share if it would help anyone
out.

Thanks.

Rich
Chillicothe IL