Terra Cotta

Terra Cotta. Perth Amboy Makes… The World Takes. , Perth Amboy was once one of the world's leaders in the production of bricks and architectural terra cotta. Why? The area had a rich supply of clay left behind after the last glacier. Dozens of huge kilns could be spotted throughout the city from the mid-19th through the 20th century. Terra cotta was produced and shipped out to create structures all over the United States., Early Industry , Hall and Son's Terra Cotta was founded in 1846 at 59 Buckingham Avenue, right on the other side of the parking area. As years passed, the name changed to the Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company and eventually Atlantic Terra Cotta., Giant Kilns , Kilns much larger than your local pottery studio's were used to bake soft clay into rigid terra cotta blocks and ornate sculptures. Once the clay was formed into the desired shape, it was dried in a kiln reaching a temperature of 1,830°F. These massive structures were 24 ft. in diameter and stood nearly 54 ft. high., Terra cotta made in the City of Perth Amboy contributed to several world-famous buildings: , The Woolworth Building in New York City, the world's tallest building from 1913 to 1930., The United States Supreme Court Building, in use starting in 1935., Terra cotta statue of George Washington at Perth Amboy City Hall Circle, still standing today. It was a gift to the City from the Danish and produced at the NJ Terra Cotta Company in 1896., Philadelphia Museum of Art, location of the famous scene in the movie "Rocky.", Want to know more? , Check out the documentary "Perth Amboy Terra Cotta" by John Kerry Dyke for an in-depth look at the terra cotta industry.