Trenton Potteries Company (Enterprise Pottery)

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

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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    1892-1941

Wares

Sanitary

Earthen and chinaware (Industrial Directory 1901)

Pottery ware (Industrial Directory 1906)

Porcelain and sanitary ware (Industrial Directory 1909)

Sanitary earthenware (Industrial Directory 1912, 1918, 1927, 1931, 1934)

Notes

“The Trenton Potteries Co. was formed in 1894 from five potteries including Enterprise which had been on this site since 1879. This conglomerate made sanitary ware: domestic, industrial, and institutional. The Company makers mark was a five pointed star encircling a number between one and six. The number ‘4’ designated Enterprise Pottery.”

— Abramson, D.V. and T. Karschner. 1978.  An Inventory of Historical Engineering and Industrial Sites, Trenton, New Jersey.  On file, New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJDEP), Trenton, New Jersey.

Selected References

The Trenton Potteries Company. 1896.  Specialties Department/The Trenton Potteries Co., Manufacturers of Druggists’ Sundries and Essential Articles for use in Hospitals and Sick-Rooms.  Brandt Press, Trenton, New Jersey.

Hayward, W. (United States Attorney). 1922.  In the District Court of the United States America, for the Southern District of New York: United States of America vs. the Trenton Potteries Co., et al.: Indictment Filed August 9, 1922.  Freemont Payne, Inc., New York, New York.

Trenton Magazine. 1925. “How the Trenton Potteries Company Manufactures ‘Tepeco’ All-clay Plumbing Products: Showing Care Used in Selection of Materias and Explaining Modern Methods Used in the Manufacture of Sanitary Earthenware.” January.

The Trenton Potteries Company. 1925.  Established 3500 B.C.: A Brief History of the Origin and Development of All Clay Plumbing Fixtures.  Trenton, New Jersey.

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

Abramson, D.V. and T. Karschner. 1978.  An Inventory of Historical Engineering and Industrial Sites, Trenton, New Jersey.  On file, New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJDEP), Trenton, New Jersey.

Stern, Marc Jeffrey. 1994.  The Pottery Industry of Trenton: A Skilled Trade in Transition, 1850-1929.  Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

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 Jerey.

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

Trenton Potteries Company Plant #4; Enterprise Pottery

Block and Lot:
212A/19

Historic Street Address:
New York Avenue near Olden Avenue

Municipality:
City of Trenton

Image Gallery

Enterprise Pottery Company Engraving
Enterprise Pottery Company Engraving
Enterprise Pottery, 1900 Industrial Trenton (Wolf p. 71)
Trenton Potteries Company, 1900 Industrial Trenton (Wolf p.70)
Two Vases, vitreous china, made by Trenton Art China/Trenton Potteries Company, ca. 1935-1942, L 8 in H, R 6.25 in H. During the Great Depression, when there was little home or institutional building, Trenton Potteries made up for the slow sanitary market by making stylish vases for florists and home décor. The Orbit Vase (L) was designed by G. McStay Jackson. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1981.48 and CH1988.26.1
Bathroom Sink, cast porcelain, Norwich model, made by Crane/Trenton Potteries Company, circa 1930, 24 in W. The sink was removed from the New Jersey State House during renovations in 2017. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH2018.4.6
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
CH1980.38.68 a,bCultural HistoryChamber Pot1909Trenton Potteries CompanyIronstone chamber pot decorated with Trenton businesses
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b

Map Gallery

Enterprise Pottery, 1905 Lathrop
Enterprise Pottery, 1908 Sanborn Map
Enterprise Pottery, 1927 Sanborn Map
Map References

Lathrop, J. M. 1905.   Atlas of the City of Trenton and Borough of Princeton. A.H. Mueller & Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Plate 15: shown as “Enterprise Pottery Trenton Potteries Co.”)

Sanborn Map Company.  1908.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey, Volume 1. Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York.  (Vol. 1, plate 50: shown as “Trenton Potteries Co. Enterprise Pottery”)

Sanborn Map Company.  1927.  Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York.  (Vol. 1: shown as “Trenton Potteries Company Plant #4: Enterprise Pottery”;  Vol. 3, plate 451: shown as “Trenton Potteries Co. Plant #4 Enterprise Pottery”)

Franklin Survey Co.  1930.  Real Estate Plat‑Book of the City of Trenton and Borough of Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Franklin Survey Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Plate 36: shown as “Trenton Potteries”)