What were bricks made of manure and straw used for in early homesteading?

Bricks made of manure and straw, often referred to as "adobe bricks," were primarily used in early homesteading for wall construction. These materials were abundant and provided practical benefits in the harsh climates of places like North Dakota. The combination of manure and straw created a durable building material that was sustainable and effective for creating homes.

When used for wall construction, these bricks helped to maintain a more stable indoor temperature, keeping homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. While such bricks could potentially be used in other contexts—like loosely in fuel or for insulation purposes—the predominant usage during early homesteading was indeed for constructing walls of shelters, as it offered a means to build sturdy and functional dwellings in rural areas where other resources might have been scarce.