Celadon Terra Cotta Building – Alfred, New York - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

Celadon Terra Cotta Building

Alfred, New York

A physical catalog of ceramics made by the now-defunct Celadon Terra Cotta company. 

View all photos
The Celadon Terra Cotta building in its current location Denise J Kirschner/CC BY-SA 3.0
The Celadon Terra Cotta building in its current location Denise J Kirschner/CC BY-SA 3.0
View of the Terra Cotta from the road with NYS Ceramic College building in background Doug Kerr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo circa 1910 of the aftermath of a fire that destroyed the Terra Cotta Tile Co. factory Public Domain
29
107
Top Places in New York
Frick Bowling Alley
New York, New York
Radio City Music Hall's Secret Apartment
New York, New York
REACH: New York
New York, New York
 See All

Now located in front of Alfred University, this small building is one of the most obvious reminders of the legacy of the Celadon Terra Cotta Company.

The village of Alfred had existed for many decades before it was discovered that the clay found in its riverbeds was ideal for the making of terra cotta ceramics. In 1889, the Celadon Terra Cotta Company was founded by local residents and quickly grew into a large manufacturer of terra cotta products. In addition to bricks and roof tiles, the company made ornamental tiles for the exterior of buildings, which were very popular at the time.

In 1892 the Celadon Company built the Terra Cotta building next to their tile plant to serve as a physical catalog and showcase the various tiles available for sale. The building was considered so unique that it served as inspiration for one constructed at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

The company became so widely known for its quality products that Alfred was chosen as the location of the New York State School of Clayworking, which grew into the New York State College of Ceramics and Material Science. To this day the village of Alfred features a large number of buildings featuring tilework made by the Celadon Company.

The company merged with the Ludowici Roofing Tile company in 1906 and in 1909 the plant in Alfred burned down, causing all operations to move to the company’s factory in New Lexington, Ohio, where the company remains in operation to this day.

The only part of the plant to survive the fire was the Terra Cotta building, which remained alone for many decades. In 1969, Alfred University announced plans to clear the former site of the Celadon Company to build a gym, and the village historical society raised money to save the Terra Cotta by moving it across from the village post office in 1974, where it remains to this day.

These days the Terra Cotta is a village landmark and National Historic Property, occasionally opened to the public and members of the ceramic art college next door for viewing and appreciation.

Know Before You Go

Visitors are able to enjoy much of the terra cotta detailing from the outside of the building. It is found across the road from the village post office and right in front of Harder Hall at Alfred University. Parking can be found closer to the heart of Main Street, but there are sidewalks leading right to the building.

Atlas Obscura Experiences

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Frankenstein

Brooklyn, New York
Free
ceramics clay crafts buildings architecture
Nearby
Angelica, New York
12.10 miles
T.M. Younglove Octagon House
29.70 miles
Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum
30.04 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Park Bench in Park Circle, Angelica
Angelica, New York

Angelica, New York

A quaint village in Western New York named after Alexander Hamilton's beloved sister-in-law.
T.M. Younglove Octagon House.
Hammondsport, New York

T.M. Younglove Octagon House

In the mid-19th century, an eight-sided house was the latest fad.
Hammondsport, New York

Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum

Curtiss is a forgotten figure in the early history of flight.
Coudersport, Pennsylvania

Potter County Moon Tree

A sycamore tree grown from seeds that traveled to the moon.
Related Places
London, England

The Ostler's Hut

This is London's smallest listed building.
Lindsborg, Kansas

1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavilion

A preserved relic of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and a center of Swedish American Culture.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Philtower and Philcade Buildings

Tulsa's historic skyscrapers define the oil boom era of Art Deco construction, and are known for their ornate arched lobbies.
Shoyoen
Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Shoyoen

This unique blend of Japanese and Western architecture provides a glimpse into the lives of the Japanese elites who once ruled Taiwan.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web