The Brickyard Quarry is named for its past. Many decades ago, local mining operations were conducted at the site to harvest material for making bricks. The remains of the old brick factory are up on the eastern hill of the quarry. The quarry was abandoned in the early 1970's and left to flood. It was said the bottom of the quarry was laid with brick, although fill has covered much of that history; you can occasionally find a bright red brick along one of the walls in the quarry. We have located portions of the old rail system that was used, though most of it is now twisted through our underwater forest.
The quarry has a plethora of objects for a diver to see. We have sunk 3 vehicles as well 3 boats throughout the quarry. You ma
y occasionally see local Dive Rescue Teams out lifting these to new areas for training. We also have 2 training platforms placed in quarry for dive skills. As well as a twin engine airplane complete with wings. The plane rests at the top of a wall in about 6 foot of water, making a great dive crystal clear dive during those hot summer days.
Overall we have 10 full acres of water here. About 3 acres is underwater forest, located primarily along the northern side of the quarry. This is where big catfish lay in mid-summer sunbathing and resting in the trees, normally reserved for birds. We have not allowed fishing in the quarry for several years, in order to increase the fish population; and our efforts are paying off. Along the south side of the quarry just at the top of the wall (8-10ft) you will see heavy grasses and plant growth which houses many of our newborn fish each year. We have largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, and even a couple of turtles who remain year round residents. (Instructor's Secret, head due west from the dock and you may just find a wonderful mass of bluegill nests in the mid-summer around one of the old trees still standing, then just head south along the ledge to start your tour with one of the sunken boats)