“G” is for Guignard Brick Works

“G” is for Guignard Brick Works. James Sanders Guignard began making brick along the Congaree River near Columbia in 1803, under the name Guignard Brick Works.  During the Civil War, the plant fell into disuse. In 1886 Guignard’s great-grandson moved to the Columbia area to revive the brick operation. He mined clay extensively from alluvial deposits along the west bank of the Congaree River. In 1974 the company was sold to the Merry Brothers Company which continued to use the Guignard name. At the time of the Merry Brothers acquisition, the operation was moved from the banks of the river to a new plant near US Hwy. 1 and Interstate 20 east of Lexington. Eventually the Merry Brothers Company itself was sold and the Lexington operation of Guignard Brick Works became a part of Boral Brick.