American Terra Cotta Tile And Ceramic Company
The american terra cotta ceramic company one of the midwest s big four producers had a sales office in downtown chicago.
American terra cotta tile and ceramic company. The companies made architectural terra cotta glazed exterior tile for buildings and teco pottery. Gates purchased the spring valley tile works in crystal lake il and changed the name to terra cotta works. The company was founded in 1881 as a drain tile factory by w. Find a terratile distributor near you.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s crystal lake enjoyed nationwide fame through the manufacture of architectural terra cotta and teco pottery at the american terra cotta ceramic co. The mission of the american terra cotta museum is to preserve and showcase artifacts of the american terra cotta ceramic company to share the story of the people processes and production of architectural terra cotta and teco pottery and the company s transition to steel heat treating and fabrication. In 1888 the company took the name american terra cotta company and moved to a plant near crystal lake il. The production consisted of drain tile brick chimney tops finials urns and other.
Later changing it to the terra cotta tile works and finally to. This small museum does a wonderful job of detailing the terra cotta ceramic company s rich history and expansive production from architectural terra cotta to teco art pottery. Gates s experiments with glazes and forms led him to found teco an acronym for terra cotta to create art. The firm grew by absorbing other firms among them indianapolis terra cotta in 1918 and midland terra cotta in 1930.
Tile specifications technical data ordering information tile samples. The company was started by william day gates. The american terracotta tile and ceramic company was founded in 1881. The name was later changed to american terra cotta ceramic company.
Visiting the american terra cotta museum by lucy toomey ceo. Whether your project is historic renovation restoration or custom new construction in a period or style we provide solutions for your architectural needs that will bring your project to an uncompromising finish. In terra cotta illinois between crystal lake illinois and mchenry illinois near chicago by william day gates. At american terracotta we conserve repair restore and produce ornamental masonry features.
Recently we had the opportunity to attend the opening of the american terra cotta museum in crystal lake illinois. 877 terratile 877 837 7284 fax orders to 209 274 9334 terratilegh aol com. Originally as spring valley tile works. The teco pottery was founded in terra cotta illinois in 1899 by william day gates as a specialty branch of his american terra cotta tile and ceramic company which made architectural terra cotta items like drain tiles and chimney tops.
In 1881 william d.