Gladding-McBean was started in Lincoln, California by Charles Gladding, Peter McGill McBean and George Chambers who were originally from Chicago but had come to the area to start the company after the discovery of the excellent quality regional clay. The company focused on clay products such as sewer pipe at first and soon moved onto making tiles, brick, chimney pipes and ornamental garden pottery. They were also well known for producing terra cotta facades for buildings.

The Franciscan pottery line of tableware and artware was named to honor the Spanish Franciscan Friars who established missions in California. There are a ton of different patterns of dinnerware of which many contain mugs that are collectible. Most of them are marked with both names on bottom so they are easily identifiable.

The Catalina Pottery factory was bought out by Gladding McBean in 1937 - and though production of the pottery originally happened on Catalina Island, Gladding McBean moved the factory to the mainland after the purchase.

The Gladding McBean plant in Lincoln closed in 1984, but the company name still exists as a division of Pacific Coast Building Products.


Gladding, McBean Franciscan - Hawaii Cups
Gladding, McBean Franciscan - Pomegranate Mug