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Malokoff's
Finds
"Malakoff Man", Coal, Clay & Brick
In
the 1930s, several heads were found which closely resembled
the Olmec heads found in the Mexican states of Tabasco
and Veracruz. Collectively they were known as "Malakoff
Man" and their origin remains a mystery.
They were actually found closer to Trinidad, but naming them "Trinidad
Man" may have caused some confusion. Maybe these "Malakoff
Men" built the mysterious rock wall in Rockwall County. A
total of three heads were found, although extensive excavations
failed to yield other artifacts.
But the soil
revealed other things. Coal and Clay. Coal was discovered
in 1912 and mining became the dominant industry in Henderson
County during the 20s and 30s. Texas Power and Light built
a generating station close to the lignite source and as many as
600 miners worked the veins of coal. There has been a Miner's
Reunion held every five years in Malakoff since the mines closed
in 1945.
Brick was the town's other industry, although ironically,
most of the downtown buildings were built prior to the plant's construction.
The two huge kilns remain today and brick production continues under
the name of Acme. Bricks that are found around the state
marked MALAKOFF are usually light-colored.
In 1904
Mr. Thomas Anthony Bartlett of Malakoff devised a way of coloring
brick, touching off a new age of architectural elegance. He took
his discovery to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and won
a Blue Ribbon for his white brick.
Today efforts
are underway to celebrate Malakoff's (and perhaps the rest of the
state's) brick manufacturing heritage, through a display and perhaps
even the formation of a Malakoff Brick Museum. The idea is
spearheaded by Matsy and Dave Walker, enthusiastic local historians,
antique dealers and (incidentally) brick
collectors.
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