In the north part of Moran (Township) bricks were first made in 1880 by Mealey & Staples on the south side of the railroad about a half mile east of Hayden brook and lake, or nearly two miles east of Staples depot. About 75,000 red bricks of fair quality were made there. (A Report on the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, 1882-1885, The Geology of Minnesota, Volume II, N. H. Winchell and Warren Upham, Pioneer Press Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1888, Page 577)