Marshall Pottery

Kentucky native W. F. Rocker founded the Marshall Pottery in 1895. The locale, apparently not legally owned by Rocker, contained spring-fed water and vast quantities of white clay, the two natural ingredients needed for the production of pottery. The business began with six employees, one wood-fired rock kiln, a mule-powered clay grinder and one man-powered kickwheel for turning the stoneware. Goods were delivered by mule and wagon in Texas and Louisiana. Rocker sold the business, later acquired by Charles Studer. In 1905 Studer turned over the operation to Sam H. Ellis (1861-1938), a blacksmith for the Texas & Pacific railroad. The stoneware business was expanded by Ellis, who employed several family members. New products were added to the line of items made, and the company became one of the largest manufacturers of clay garden pots in the United States. Fire destroyed a majority of the pottery facility in 1962, but it was rebuilt. A retail store was added in 1974, and the pottery operation was promoted throughout the region as a tourist attraction. the Ellis family sold the business in 1983. Most of the commercial potteries in Harrison county trace their roots to the Marshall Pottery, established more than 100 years ago. (1996)

Marshall Pottery is a historical marker in Marshall, Harrison County, dedicated in 1996. It is one of 102 historical markers documented in Harrison County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 257 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.5115, -94.3204 near Marshall. The nearest cataloged historic site is Colonial Gardens (cemetery), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include McJohnson, Cumberland Presbyterians in Harrison County, and Nichol.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5203010194. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.