St. Louis is situated on a geological formation known as the St. Louis Limestone, which contains layers of clay deposits. These clay deposits were formed over millions of years through the deposition of sediment in ancient seas and rivers.

Clay has long been utilized in St. Louis for the production of bricks, which were essential for the city's construction and development. The abundance of clay deposits in the area made St. Louis a center for brickmaking in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Brick kilns and factories dotted the landscape, producing millions of bricks used in the construction of buildings, streets, and infrastructure throughout the city.

During St. Louis' history of brickmaking, its high-quality bricks were exported to various cities across the United States. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chicago experienced rapid growth and urban development, leading to a high demand for building materials such as bricks. St. Louis supplied bricks to Chicago for use in the construction of commercial buildings, factories, and residential homes.

Kansas City, located west of St. Louis, also benefited from the supply of bricks produced in St. Louis. As Kansas City expanded during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Omaha, like many other Midwestern cities, relied on bricks from St. Louis for its construction projects. St. Louis bricks were prized for their durability and uniformity, making them popular choices for paving streets and constructing buildings in Omaha. Cities in the Upper Midwest, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, also imported bricks from St. Louis to build their warehouses, mills, and neighborhoods. St. Louis bricks were transported down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, where they were used in the construction of buildings and infrastructure projects.