Black and white photo of a building
George L. Muddox and H.C. Muddox built the Muddox Building at 2980 35th Street in Oak Park using H.C. Muddox bricks. The fireproof building had three shops on the ground floor, three lodge halls, and an assembly room on the second floor. Today University of the Pacific operates its physician assistant and occupational therapy programs here. (Photo: Center for Sacramento History)
Black and white photo of a factory. Text written by a typewriter says" N.W. Corner of 30th & L St.. Muddox Clay Products since 1905.. Picture. Jan 18, 1963.
A view of the Muddox Clay Products factory at 30th and L street in 1963 (Photo: Center for Sacramento History)
H.C. Muddox Sacramento headquarters
A photo of the current H.C. Muddox Sacramento headquarters
Black and white photo of a person outside a brick kiln with a domed roof.
The last of the six kilns to be razed in the 1960’s when the H.C. Muddox factory was removed from the path of the soon-to-be-constructed business 80 freeway. (Photo: Center for Sacramento History)
Black and white photo of Crocker Citizens Bank
H.C. Muddox bricks were also used for the Citizens Bank of Oak Park at 2863 35th Street, established by Harry C. Muddox in 1909. (Photo: Center for Sacramento History)
Stacks of bricks
Bricks coming out of the kiln at the H.C. Muddox production facility
Different piles of clay under an awning
Local clays waiting to be mixed to create the many colors and textures of brick.
Pallets of red bricks
Pallets of Aggie Square bricks manufactured by H.C. Muddox in Sacramento
Different patterns of bricks laid out on a propped up pallet
Sample installation of Aggie Square bricks and patterns possible using their unique custom shape.
Person stands by a test installation of bricks
Tommy DeArmond, Assistant Project Manager with Whiting-Tuner, the Aggie Square general contractor shows a test installation of the bricks to evaluate different grout colors and textures.
Rendering of Aggie Square
Fiat Lux, the University of California motto, appears in letters two-stories high on the side of Aggie Square, spelled out in local bricks.
Rendering of the interior of an Aggie Square building
Aggie Square interiors also feature exposed brick.

From Clay to Campus

Bricks with a Long-lasting, Local History

  • by Cee Kao and John Marx

For 145 years, H.C. Muddox has been making clay products in Sacramento. Today, their bricks compose the University’s signature on the side of the Life-long Learning building, at the east entrance to Aggie Square.  

Here is a sign of the bond between UC Davis and Sacramento, if ever there was one. The city’s industry makes it possible to render the University’s guiding motto, Fiat Lux, or “let there be light.” In turn, the university’s investment in research, teaching, and community engagement lights the way to Sacramento’s future.  

Aggie Square’s commitment to support regional businesses and communities shines through with the decision to source locally from this historic Sacramento company. H. C. Muddox was established in Sacramento in 1878 and ever since has been producing building materials including sewer pipes and chimney flues as well as bricks. As demand for its products grew, the company grew too into a vital supplier for Sacramento and nearby regions. The original factory was located at 30th and L streets until 1964 when that site was torn down to make room for the future freeway, Business 80. The brick plant moved out in the country on Bradshaw Road where the company built a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This is where H.C. Muddox is still making bricks, employing local residents and making products with local clays. 

Over the course of its storied history, H.C. Muddox bricks have been used in prominent locations across the city, among them the Citizens Bank building in Oak Park, built in 1909, and structures across the historic State fairgrounds where the UC Davis Health campus and Aggie Square now stand. Farther afield, H.C. Muddox has supplied bricks for Chico State University, McKinley Village, AT&T Park, and more across California. 

“Fiat Lux” — “Let there be light” — represents the coming of light and knowledge into the world. For Aggie Square and UC Davis, that light becomes brighter through devotion to Sacramento and the region. As progress on these buildings steadily moves forward, Aggie Square continues to search for more opportunities to reach local communities as part of the Community Benefits Partnership Agreement. 

To learn more about the innovative Aggie Square brick design and the university’s partnership with H.C. Muddox, follow the link to this video or watch it below. 

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Community Engagement

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Project Progress

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