Brickyard Cove’s History (1961 to 1966)

“The beginnings of Brickyard Cove, as detailed in this account written by Muriel Clausen, highlight the vision and efforts that transformed the Richmond waterfront into a thriving community.”

Brickyard Cove has a history that extends far before this report was written and long before it became known as “Brickyard Cove” by the investors whose interest began around 1961. This account focuses on the period from 1961 to the present.

The Search for a Permanent Home

Bert Clausen (W.B. Clausen), Commodore of the Richmond Yacht Club in 1961, led the search for a permanent home for the club. At the time, the Yacht Club was located on Cutting Boulevard in Richmond, near Canal Street, operating on a month-to-month rental lease with the Santa Fe Railroad Company. This precarious lease motivated the club to seek a more secure location, with the ultimate goal of owning their own property.

Discovering the Future Brickyard Cove

Through research into available waterfront properties, Clausen identified a site near a brickyard on the south shoreline of Richmond, owned by the Macdonald-Henshaw group. The property comprised approximately 143 acres, most of which was underwater. In December 1961, Clausen and fellow member Herb Thode made an offer to purchase 14 acres near the Garrard Boulevard entrance.

This area had calm waters thanks to a training wall built by the Army Engineers, which protected the shoreline from southwesterly waves and made it suitable for sailing. However, the shallow waters close to shore required dredging.

Negotiations and Challenges during Brickyard Cove’s History

The first offer was rejected, with no counteroffer. Determined, Clausen approached the property owners directly. Early in 1962, he, Thode, and club member Bill Fisher met with the owners to resubmit their offer of $34,000, emphasizing the potential value increase of the property once the Yacht Club was established. By February 1962, the owners accepted a counteroffer of $45,000.

Securing roadway access presented a significant challenge. Negotiations involved a property trade between the Parr Company and the Macdonald-Henshaw group for a strip of land along Garrard Boulevard. By early 1963, the necessary agreements were nearly finalized, and after a vote, the Yacht Club members approved the purchase.

Construction and Establishment

Starting in 1963, Bert Clausen led the development of the new Yacht Club facility. Surveys were conducted, a harbor layout was designed, and construction began. Floating breakwaters were installed but were soon replaced with permanent ones after the original design proved ineffective.

The harbor was dedicated, with the first boats entering their slips on Sunday, January 31, 1965. Jens Hansen, a Yacht Club member and architect, designed the new clubhouse, which was completed in April 1966. Permanent breakwaters were finished in September 1966, solidifying the Richmond Yacht Club’s status and giving rise to the area now known as “Brickyard Cove.”

Brickyard Cove Today

Brickyard Cove is now home to The Brickyard Marina, a popular Richmond marina. It continues to be a hub for boating enthusiasts and a vibrant residential community, reflecting the vision and efforts of Bert and Muriel Clausen to transform the waterfront into a thriving space.