Erwin in Unicoi County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Blue Ridge Pottery

1917-1957

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2021

1. Blue Ridge Pottery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Beginning operations in 1917, Southern Potteries, Inc. was fostered by the Carolina, Clinchfield, and Ohio Railroad. For many years, it was one of the nation's largest producers of hand-painted-under-the-glaze pottery, sold under the name “Blue Ridge”. Located on Watauga Avenue, the factory hired hundreds of local artists to paint the pottery. Department stores had their own designs, and breakfast cereals offered starter sets. In January of 1957, the board of directors voted to close the pottery. Collectors still seek out examples of this pottery from Erwin’s past.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 151.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 36° 8.759′ N, 82° 24.936′ W. Marker is in Erwin, Tennessee, in Unicoi County. Marker is at the intersection

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of North Main Avenue and Tucker Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Avenue. Marker is located beside the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Erwin TN 37650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Unicoi County / The Town of Erwin (within shouting distance of this marker); To the Women of the Confederacy (approx. half a mile away); Greasy Cove Racetrack (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Battle of Red Banks / Reunion for the Boys in Blue (approx. 2.3 miles away); Keystone Pottery (approx. 5.1 miles away); Jacob Brown (approx. 5.4 miles away); Plum Grove (approx. 6.7 miles away); Cherokee Church (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erwin.

Also see . . .
1. History of Southern Potteries. In 1916, the Carolina, Clinchfield, and Ohio Railroad selected Erwin, a small town in northeastern Tennessee, as the site for a pottery. The railroad was attempting to develop commercial enterprises along its lines as sources of revenue. Raw materials — coal to fire the kilns, feldspar for making pottery — were transported by a trunk rail line to the pottery. Finished products were then hauled by train to major rail distribution centers for transport across the country. (Submitted on May 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 14, 2021

2. Blue Ridge Pottery Marker

(looking east along Tucker Street from North Main Avenue)

2. Southern Potteries History. By maintaining eleven Blue Ridge showrooms throughout the country from New York’s Fifth Avenue to San Francisco, Southern Potteries introduced customers to the varied patterns of the largest hand painted china producer in the country. Additionally, Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Ward carried Blue Ridge china in their stores and mail-order catalogs. (Submitted on May 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 457 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.