On this date (April 20) in 1916, the Chicago Cubs opened their new home at Wrigley Field against the Cincinnati Reds. And there is a local connection to the story as told by late Mercer County historian Stephanie Braucht. Bricks made at the former Shale City Brickyards were used in construction of the historic ballpark. This was a conversation recorded back in 2017.
The Shale City Brickyards operated from 1912 through 1969. At their height in the 1920’s they employed upwards of 100 people and manufactured a half-million bricks per week.