Founded in 1892 with the merger of several Southern California companies, Pacific Clay Products was one of the "Big Five" Southern California potteries in the production of ceramic tableware, kitchenware, and art wares from 1930 to 1942. The "Big Five" Southern California potteries were
Metlox,
Vernon Kilns,
Gladding, McBean & Co.,
J.A. Bauer Pottery, and
Pacific Clay Products. Early pottery products manufactured in the 1920s were utilitarian ware including bowls, mugs, and poultry feeders. The company also produced hand-thrown vases and garden ware pots. In 1932, Pacific introduced mix and match brightly solid colored tableware and art ware. The solid-colored tableware was sold as "Hostessware." In 1935, Pacific introduced hand-painted patterns on the Hostessware shape in various plaid, floral, and fruit designs. By 1937, Pacific introduced the Coralitos and Arcadia lines, a more delicate earthenware body in solid colors. In 1941, hand-painted patterns on the Coralitos and Arcadia shapes were introduced: Grape, Strawberry, Hibiscus, French Ivy, and Shasta Daisy. Pacific Clay Products' art ware lines were introduced around 1932. The art ware lines, marketed as Pacific Pottery, included a wide variety of shapes for vases,
figurines, flower bowls, candleholders, planters and flower frogs for the retail and florist trade. In October 1942, all dinnerware and art ware was discontinued due to
World War II as the company retooled for the production of war materials for the
United States government. Pacific Clay Products never produced tableware or art ware again. Pacific Clay produced sewer pipe until 1997 in
Corona, California. In 1963, Pacific Clay bought the Los Angeles Brick Company in Alberhill, California. In 1973, David H. Murdock bought Pacific Clay and took the company private. In 1996, the company built a new state-of-the-art brick factory and produces brick products. == References ==