"The Clay Capital of the World" is quite a title for a small
community in Tuscarawas County. However, the industry, citizens,
and entire area earned it by innovative product development and
methods of increased productivity which met the construction
industry's demands. The area helped the country recognize the
importance of controlled surface water, sanitary sewage disposal,
and safe, sanitary aquatic supply systems.
The first annual Clay Week was designed primarily to further
develop and publicize the clay industry and to further emphasize
the theme "Make It Clay All the Way." The event was conceived by
the Uhrichsville Chamber of Commerce and other civic and labor
leaders.
The Clay Week celebration started out in the 1940's as a
one-day picnic. Each clay plant was assigned an arch under the
Uhrichsville, now Claymont, stadium. The employees would decorate
the space with crepe paper, balloons, and other items.
Uhrichsville residents judged the displays, and the winning plant
won a prize. During the day, there were rides on the Ferris wheel
and ponies, sack races, ball tosses, and other games. If the
economic year had been good, a fireworks display was also part of
the year's celebration.
In 1950 the celebration turned into a week-long celebration, and
was held in August. A Miss Clay contest was held, and each clay
plant chose a young woman to represent it in the competition. The
contestant had to have a relative employed at the plant to be a
contender. The same year, a regatta was held on Tappan Lake.
Several famous race boats participated.
Today, Clay Week is incorporated as the Twin City Community
Projects and National Clay Week Council, Inc. It is now a five-day
festival, held in the Uhrichsville park area during the month of
June. The highlights include a queen's contest, midway
attractions, a grand parade, and other events.
Source: Times Reporter, June 11, 2001 article provided by John
Albert, Vice Chairman of the Clay Week Festival
Clay History Display at Uhrichsville Library
A permanent display documenting the history of the clay
industry in Tuscarawas County is now located at the Uhrichsville
branch of the Claymont Public Library. Photos featuring past and
present clay production processes are highlighted, including a
demonstration of terra cotta sculpting by Mark Ditcher of Superior
Clay Corp.
"This display is a great way for residents of all ages to view
with pride the contributions the clay industry continues to make
to the Tuscarawas Valley," states Lois Brown, Uhrichsville Branch
Manager. "A large number of Twin City residents either worked at a
clay plant or have relatives who worked in the industry at some
point."
Photos for the display were provided by Dana Martini of
Superior Clay and came from the company's corporate archives. Rick
Bloom of Bloom's Printing coordinated the reproduction efforts.
