IT’S TEXAS HISTORY

Texas is blessed with rich deposits of clay suitable for the manufacture of stoneware pottery and, along the line of these deposits, wherever settlement occurred, the potters moved in and set up shop.

As a result, we have early Texas stoneware in a wide variety of styles from several different potting traditions.

Stylistic transitions took place over a very short period when potting traditions mixed and fused.

In addition to social changes in the 19th century, modern technology was a huge factor in the stylistic changes in pottery and the economic viability of the pottery shop. During a span of only three decades, changes in kiln design, glazing formulas and casting and molding techniques changed pottery from the centuries old, hand-turned, ovoid forms of the 1850s to the slick-looking, straight-sided ‘modern’ forms we see today.

And by the beginning of the 20th century, craftsmanship and artistic expression – the elements that make a potter’s work unique, identifiable and collectable – had taken a back seat to efficiency of production. All pottery began to look alike and the day of the small pottery shop was over.

Except from ‘A Checklist of Texas Potters’ by Bob Helberg

Roark/Griffith Pottery Site
Site Number: 41 DN 18
County: Denton
State: Texas

Site Description:
A small circular, simple updraft kiln remains standing in fairly good condition, but is probably not first kiln used on property. A brick coldframe has been attached to the south side of this kiln. Old foundations of a residence or workshop and a rock lined cellar pit are present between the kiln and the modern house. Shards of salt-glazed stoneware are scattered in the yard and the greatest number are visible in the terracing behind the present house.

Site History:
James M. Roark and his partner, J.A. Smith, bought the property under question in 1868 and began pottery operations shortly thereafter. Roark seems to have been an earlier student of John Cranston. Roark sold out to the Griffith brothers in 1884. The Griffith operation appears to have ended around 1904.

Statement of Significance:
The large building (of which the basement remains) and the small standing kiln probably date from the Griffith works, but some of the shards in the yard terraces are stamped “Roark” and probably date earlier. Therefore, it seems that at least two building sequences could be identified. At a minimum, the standing kiln is in good condition for study of pottery technology in the 1880s. Possibly 50% of the sub-surface features (structure bases, work areas, etc.) remain intact. The modern garage has covered part of the site and yard terracing has disturbed some of the Roark operation.