Page 34 - DesMoinesRiver

2004:16). Today the remnants of the lock are about 30 feet from the river began essentially as a handcraft trade evolved into a mechanized, techno-

bank surrounded by trees and a corn field (Muessig 1977:2). logically complex industry (Gradwohl 1976).

THE POTTERY INDUSTRY ALONG THE RIVER Potteries naturally tended to be found near clay sources such as those
around Vernon and Bonaparte in Van Buren County. The clay used for
Stoneware and other pottery products were essential materials for de- pottery is called “fire clay” and usually can be found as the underclay of
veloping farming and industry in the growing country. In a time without coal seams; as a result, it was often extracted along with the coal. Other
refrigeration or the mass production and distribution of food, most food sources of clay were also available (Schroeder 1979:18), but most of the
was produced locally and pickling, salting and canning were primary potteries along the Des Moines River were associated with coal mines
methods of preservation. Utilitarian red-wares and salt-glazed stonewares (Rogers, Gradwohl and Peterson 1995:13).
were required for everyday food production and storage in every home
and farm. Items like butter pots, pickle jars, churns, milk pans and jugs, The industry expanded in Iowa through much of the 19th century, reaching
tableware, and other items were used on a daily basis. Ceramics were its peak in the 1880s (Till 1983:101). Major centers of production included
required for construction too. Drainage tiles were needed for farms and Fort Dodge (the largest), Sioux City, Davenport, and Des Moines. A list
towns, and growing population centers relied on materials such as paving
bricks, construction bricks, sewer tiles, tubing, and chimney stacks (Rogers, Known Potteries Along the Des Moines River
Gradwohl and Peterson 1995:10). Archaeologists report that stoneware is and Associated Archaeological Sites
one of the most common artifact types recovered from historic habitation
sites in Iowa. Recent studies of these artifacts indicate that the majority County Number of Associated Archaeological
of the early wares were produced in local and regional kilns attesting to Potteries Sites
the importance of these manufacturers (Rogers, Peterson, Schroder and Boone
Finney 1995:2). 24 13BN111 Nosh Creek Kiln
Lee 13BN120 Mangona Pottery Works
Potteries also provided jobs for skilled immigrants coming to Iowa from Mahaska 1 13BN132 Flintstone Pottery
other states and European countries like England and Germany. These Marion 2 13BN138 Griffee Pottery
workers brought with them knowledge of the ceramic industry from Polk 15 13BN131 Franklin Kiln
well-known centers like Staffordshire, England and Peoria, Illinois (Rogers, 10 0
Gradwohl and Peterson 1995:13). Van Buren 0
40 13MA106 Gidel Kiln
Encouraged by the waterway transportation system and the availability of Wapello 13MA103 Coalport Kiln
nearby natural clay sources, the pottery industry took hold in Iowa in the Warren 16 13MA113 Pella-Welch Kiln
early 19th century. The very first pottery kiln in Iowa was a rural kiln built Webster 14 0
in 1836 by William Welch just downriver from the future town of Bonapar- 6 13VB200 Bonaparte Pottery
te in Van Buren County (Rogers 1999:8). Early potteries such as this were 13VB427 Dickinson Pottery
make-shift kilns operated by part-time and itinerant workers, but what 13VB433 Rambo Pottery
13VB147 Green Pottery
13WP107 Dahlonega Pottery
13WA127 Waster Dump
13WB150

34 A River of Unrivaled Advantages—Life Along the Lower Des Moines River