Droemer Brickyard Site
Also known as: Droemer Brick Kiln; 41le30
Why it's listed
Along Old Serbin Road, one mile southwest of Giddings, sits what remains of a family brickyard that operated from 1870 to 1940. The Droemer family, German immigrants, made hand-molded brick from clay dug on their farm, and later generations moved to a hand press adapted to tractor power. In 1924 the original rectangular updraft kiln was torn down and its parts reused for a round down-draft kiln with ten flue-stacks and a sharply coned dome. Its interior is coated with green glaze produced by burning post oak. Nearby stand a clay storage and molding shed still holding its press, hammermill and conveyors, the foundation of the early kiln, and the clay pit, now a stock tank. Competition from rail-delivered, mass-produced brick ended operations in 1940. The site is regarded as unusually complete among small Texas brickyards, and bricks from the yard were reportedly used in the Lee County Courthouse. The kiln is deteriorating.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is an unusually intact survivor of the many small farmer-operated brickyards that worked across Texas between the 1830s and 1940. It preserves a 70-year span of rural industry and shows how local brick was made before heavy industrialization. The shed and the crown-like round kiln are cited as pleasing examples of rural industrial architecture, and bricks from the yard were reportedly used in the Lee County Courthouse.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002991, listed November 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1 mi. SW of Giddings on Old Serbin Rd, Giddings |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | November 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002991 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1870-1940 |
| Architect / builder | Christian Droemer |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The site is described as virtually intact, but the round kiln is deteriorating badly, with weeds and trees growing from cracks. The form checks the property as unoccupied and in deteriorated condition. |
| Acreage | 7.5 |
| Coordinates | 30.17284, -96.95225 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002991.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000071
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.