Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Monday, March 12, 2018

History of Wheelbarrows Used in Masonry Work


Chattanooga contractor's wheelbarrow 1922
Wheelbarrows, or barrows as they were once called, carts, buggies, sleds, and rollers have been used to carry brick, stone, mortar, and concrete for centuries. They were used to move material around construction sites, stone quarries, brickyards, and onto and off wagons, railroad cars, and ships.

While I am not aware of any wheelbarrow collectors, there is an active market for old wheelbarrow manufacturer's catalogs on US eBay. Some US manufacturers include these companies:
Brick or tile barrows 1902

Akron Barrow Co., Akron, Ohio

American Steel Scraper Co., Sidney, Ohio

Bryan Manufacturing Co., Bryan, Ohio

Buckeye Products Co., Cincinnati, Ohio

Bull Frog, made by Toledo Wheelbarrow Co., Toledo, Ohio

Chattanooga Wheelbarrow Co., Chattanooga, Tennessee

The Fairbanks Co., Rome, Georgia

Gar-Bro Manufacturing Co., Los Angeles, California; Heber Springs, Arkansas

General wheelbarrow by Dico Co., Des Moines, Iowa

Jackson Manufacturing Co., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Kilbourne & Jacobs Manufacturing Co., Columbus, Ohio (history)

Lansing Wheelbarrow Co., Lansing, Michigan

McWhinnie Wheelbarrows, Poughkeepsie, New York

Nason Manufacturing Co., New York City, New York

Sidney Steel Scraper Co., Sidney, Ohio

Sterling Wheelbarrow Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Western Iron Works, Sims & Morris, San Francisco, California

Western Wheelbarrow and Manufacturing Co., Kansas City, Missouri

Wood Shovel & Tool Co., Piqua, Ohio

Stone barrow from S.D. Kimbark's Illustrated Catalogue, 1876
Sims & Morris wheelbarrow, 1888

Sterling Wheelbarrow Co., photo credit Daniel Pawlik
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4 comments:

  1. GlassweaverMarch 17, 2019 at 6:56 PM

    Thank you! This helped me find out more about the wheelbarrow I inherited a few years ago.

    While I understand there isn't a market for these, and to me it's still a keepsake that I'm not interested in selling, I'm curious if anybody has any info on its possible value? I'm sure I have a 1920's era Sterling Wood Frame Wheelbarrow. I'm very sure I have a model 122 with wheel model #4 from the above Sterling catalog.

    It's in good condition for its age and still has its original cloth & rubber tread. I have NO interest in selling it, but am simply curious about its worth. At my grandmothers estate sale, it was one of the few items in a "not for sale" area that I kept getting pestered about.

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  2. Manitoba Brick & Block CollectionFebruary 19, 2021 at 7:40 AM

    This is a fantastic site. Thank you for all the great info and photographs. Our museum here in Argyle, MB is home to the growing Manitoba Brick & Block Collection. We are currently gathering tools to compliment our province-wide brick collection. argylemuseum(at)gmail.com

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