Canonsburg Pottery

 My grandmother worked at the Canonsburg Pottery for most of her life. 

Her name was Gladys Smith and she is on the far right wearing the pretty dark dress. According to the 1940 census, the highest grade that Gladys completed was the 7th grade. My father told me that she had to work because her father had left the family. She helped her mom clean houses at first and then she got a job at the pottery. This photo was taken around 1927.

The building she is standing in front of still exists. Here is the way it looks now. I took this photo on 11 June 2016.

When I was born in 1962 she lived on Vine Street which overlooks the town of Canonsburg. My father resided in her home after her death and sadly we are presently preparing to sell the home as he passed away last month. I stood on his front porch and realized I could see this same building from his porch.

 Here is a zoomed in version of the whole building as I could see it from the porch.

My father told me she worked on the second floor about half way back. She likely worked around the few windows that are at the end of that white pipe.
Here is an overview of the Canonsburg Pottery as illustrated on an old postcard that was postmarked in 1939.

I don't know where the building above is situated in this postcard but I am guessing it is one of the long buildings shown. The company was founded in 1900 and it closed in 1978.

I have many pieces of Canonsburg pottery and I also have many photos of the girls Gladys worked with which I will be sharing later. Maybe she worked with a relative of yours. Here is a larger group shot in front of the building with a curious mix of sleeveless dresses and winter coats. I suppose it was cold outside and a hot place to work inside. My gram is 4th from the left, hiding behind a friend, or perhaps snuggling into her coat to keep warm.