Catalina Pottery

Catalina Clay Products

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Ceramics manufacturing
Founded	1927
Founder	William Wrigley Jr.
Defunct	1937
Fate	Purchased by Gladding, McBean & Co.
Headquarters	Santa Catalina Island, California , United States
Products	Bricks, tiles, tableware, ornamental pottery

Catalina Pottery, also known as Catalina Island Pottery, denotes the products of Catalina Clay Products, a branch of the Santa Catalina Island Company. This enterprise manufactured bricks, tiles, tableware, and ornamental pottery on Santa Catalina Island, California. Established in 1927, the business was purchased by Gladding, McBean & Co. in 1937, which subsequently transferred production to its Franciscan dinnerware division located in Los Angeles.

History

The year 1927 saw William Wrigley Jr. initiate a pottery operation specializing in tiles and bricks near Avalon on Santa Catalina Island under the name Catalina Clay Products, part of his Santa Catalina Island Company. The objective was to create clay construction materials and ensure employment opportunities throughout the year for the island’s inhabitants.

By 1930, skilled craftsmen were engaged to create both decorative and utilitarian pottery items including souvenirs, vases, bookends, and figurines. The company initially utilized native red clays until 1931 before switching to white clay imported from the mainland. Local minerals extracted from the island were incorporated into glaze formulations. These products were sold under the Catalina Pottery and Catalina Tile labels through dedicated retail outlets in Avalon, Hollywood, Olvera Street (Los Angeles), and at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix. Additionally, dinnerware and art ware found distribution through department stores and jewelry retailers. Catalina tiles were prominently applied in architectural projects on the island as well as distinguished sites such as the Arizona Biltmore Hotel swimming pool.

In 1937, Gladding, McBean & Co. acquired all assets of Catalina Clay Products—including machinery, inventory, molds, and trademarks—and ceased operations at the island facility. A lease proposal for the Pebbly Beach plant was rejected due to excessive costs associated with importing clay. Production was transferred to Gladding, McBean’s Glendale factory in Los Angeles, where manufacturing of Catalina art ware and dinnerware persisted until 1942. Items produced there bore an ink stamp reading "Catalina Pottery, made in USA"; however, tile manufacturing was discontinued.

Max Weil of California (formerly The California Figurine Co.) purchased the molds for Catalina art ware from Gladding McBean; nevertheless, Gladding McBean retained ownership of the trade name. In 1947, rights to use the trademark reverted back to the Santa Catalina Island Company.

Further reading

• Coates, Carole Catalina Island Pottery and Tile Island Treasures 1927-1937. Schiffer Publishing Ltd (2001)
• Fridley, A. W. Catalina Pottery: the Early Years, 1927-1937. Rainbow Publishing Co. (1977)
• Hoefs, Steven and Aisha Hoefs Catalina Island Pottery: Collectors Guide. S. & A. Hoefs (1993)
• Pedersen, Jeannine L. The Art of Catalina Clay Products. Catalina Island Museum Society Inc. (2000)
• Rosenthal, Lee Catalina Tile of the Magic Isle. Windgate Press (1992)
• Stern, Bill California Pottery: From Missions to Modernism. Chronicle Books (2001)

External links

• Catalina Museum