collection item #1 Denver Fire Clay Company Hi Fire Hifire Brick

Stamped: THE DENVER HIFIRE FIRE CLAY CO Measurements: 9″ Across | 4 3/8″ Tall | 2 1/2″ Thick

The Denver Fire Clay Co. Originally, in 1876, Joab Otis Bosworth set up shop in his drugstore at 411 Larimer St. in Denver, Colorado. The man was a hustler, supplying Colorado assayers with everything they needed—chemicals, mining equipment, supplies, and those essential clay crucibles—all under the Denver Fire Clay name. Fast forward to 1880, the business moves to 31st and Blake Streets and gets incorporated. Bosworth steps up as president. The company initially cranked out fire-resistant bricks, crucial for building smelters, blazing a trail in the industry.

But then, tragedy struck in 1890. Bosworth was killed in an explosion at the Larimer Street store. His widow, proving she was cut from the same bold cloth, took over and in 1895, opened a retail store at 1742 Champa Street. Denver Fire Clay Co. kept growing and by 1921, they had branch offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, and New York, N.Y., showing their dominance. But in 1937, tragedy hit again—the Larimer Street building burned down, and the retail store shuttered. The remaining building was sold off to Buerger Brothers.

That’s the tale of determination, tragedy, and perseverance.