Enterprise Pottery

View this page as a PDF     

HOW TO USE THE DATABASE

The Database is organized by location, but you can find a pottery initially by searching for its name, which is at the top of the of the page with dates of operation below. Alternate names and the names of other potteries on the same site are noted at the top of the right-hand column, just above the pottery’s location.

The types of wares made appear below the pottery name in the left-hand column, followed by the references that informed these classifications.

Sample images of maker’s marks may be enlarged by clicking on the image.

Notes include a variety of information compiled from many standard sources and are presented as miscellaneous tidbits.

In the Gallery and Map Gallery in the right-hand column you will see historic images and insurance maps of the pottery’s facilities if available as well as historic advertisements and images of the wares made.

You can download more detailed information in all of these categories by choosing a PDF of the pottery’s full listing, which also includes the documentary sources. The PDF is text only and does not contain any images.  Data from the 1860, 1870 and 1880 industrial censuses area also included in the PDF if they exist for a given pottery. This data gives you a picture of the size of the pottery operation and the age and gender makeup of its work force.

You can help expand the database by contributing pictures and information. Contact POTS by the email address at the bottom of the page.

In operation    1880-1892

Wares

SanitaryToilet sets

Earthenware closets, druggists’ vitrified ware, plumbers’ earthenware, stationary wash-stand basins, decorated toilet ware, and other earthenware (Woodward and Hageman 1883:860)

“oval washout closets, tall f. r. hoppers, round Philadelphia f. r. hoppers, traps, urinals, bidet pans, ship closet basins, plug basins, closet bowls, and other sanitary specialties … ” (Quarter Century’s Progress 1887:280)

Notes

“The business of the Enterprise Pottery, on New York Avenue, was established in 1880. Earthenware closets, druggists’ vitrified ware, plumbers’ earthenware, stationary wash-stand basins, decorated toilet ware, and other earthenware in general are manufactured, a specialty being made of sanitary goods, and shipped principally to New York and Philadelphia. The manufacturing capacity of this establishment is one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars annually, and fifty hands are employed.”

— Woodward, E.M. and J.F. Hageman. 1883.  History of Burlington and Mercer Counties.  Everts and Peck, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Selected References

“City and County.” Trenton State Gazette, Tuesday, July 27, 1880.

Woodward, E.M. and J.F. Hageman. 1883.  History of Burlington and Mercer Counties.  Everts and Peck, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Quarter-Century’s Progress of New Jersey’s Leading Manufacturing Centres. Dover. 1887. International Publishing Company, New York.

Harney, W.J. 1929. “Trenton’s First Potteries.” Sunday Times Advertiser, July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1929.

Hunter Research, Inc. 1995 .  Cultural Resource Survey, U.S. Route 1 and New York Avenue Off-Ramp, City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey.  On file, New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, Trenton, New Jersey.

John Milner & Associates, Inc. 1995.  Historic American Engineering Record Documentation of the Enterprise Pottery, Route 1SB Over New York Avenue, City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey.  On file, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Trenton, New Jersey.

Goldberg, David J. 1998.  Preliminary Notes on the Pioneer Potters and Potteries of Trenton, N.J.: The First Thirty Years – 1852 – 1882 (And Beyond).  Privately published, Trenton, New Jersey.

Other firms at this site:

Other Names

Enterprise Manufacturing Company; Enterprise Sanitary Manufacturing Company; Enterprise Pottery

Block and Lot:
212A/19

Historic Street Address:
New York Avenue near Olden Avenue

Municipality:
Lawrence Township; Millham Township; City of Trenton

Image Gallery

1889 Enterprise Pottery (Elstner p. 90)

Map Gallery

Enterprise Pottery, 1873-80 Enterprise Land Co Site Plan
Enterprise Pottery, 1881 Robinson Map
Enterprise Pottery, 1882 Haven Map
Enterprise Pottery, 1886 Sanborn
Enterprise Pottery, 1890 Scarlett & Scarlett
Enterprise Pottery, 1890 Sanborn Map
Map References

Robinson, E., and R. H. Pidgeon. 1881. Atlas of the City of Trenton and Suburbs New Jersey: From Actual Surveys and Official Records.  E. Robinson, New York, New York.   (Plate R: shown as “Enterprise Pottery Co.”)

Haven, C. C.  1882.   A New Real Estate and Insurance Map of the City of Trenton Including Chambersburg, Millham, and Parts of Ewing, Lawrence, and Hamilton Townships, Mercer County. E.P. Noll & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   (Shown as “Enterprise Pottery Co.”)

Sanborn, D. A. 1874.   Insurance Diagrams of Trenton. Corrected to 1886.  D.A. Sanborn, New York, New York.   (Plate 16: shown as “Enterprise Pottery Co.”)

Bourquin, F., and C. C. Haven. 1873-1880. Enterprise Land Company Plan of Building Lots and Manufacturing Sites Lying Between Brunswick Avenue and Clinton Street, East Trenton, N.J.  Enterprise Land Company, Trenton, New Jersey.   (Shown as “Enterprise Pottery”)

Sanborn‑Perris Map Company.  1890.   Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Sanborn‑Perris Map Company, New York, New York.  (Plate 18: shown as “Enterprise Pottery Co.”)

Scarlett & Scarlett.  1890.   Scarlett & Scarlett’s Fire Insurance Map of Mercer County.  Scarlett & Scarlett, Newark, New Jersey.  (Plate 64: shown as “Enterprise Pottery Co.”)