50 years ago: New owners restore Gladding, McBean & Co. name

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Pottery: The name Gladding, McBean & Co. is returning to Lincoln. The new owners of the local pottery, Pacific Coast Wood Products, Inc. of Sacramento, have decided to restore the familiar name to the local clay products plant after an absence of more than 13 years. Gladding, McBean & Co. came into being in 1875. The city's largest industrial employer carried that name for 87 years until the firm merged with Lockjoint Pipe Co. to become Interpace Corp. Friday night at midnight, the sale of the local plant by Interpace to Pacific Coast Wood became final. All of the Interpace employees were released, but since then about 50 hourly employees have been rehired, according to Fred Anderson, president of Pacific Coast Wood. Anderson also announced that Gene Watts would remain as plant manager, as also would a number of key salaried personnel. The Pacific Coast Wood president said the workforce would probably increase to about 100 by the end of this month and "significantly" more by the end of April. The entire sales force of the Interpace San Francisco sales office will switch to Gladding, McBean & Co., Anderson said. The local company also will take over the Interpace San Francisco office. Anderson also reported that Angelo Simone would continue to head up terra cotta sales. He said he expects no significant changes in the plant's operating procedures. The reorganization process is under way at the plant with limited production on progress. Watts said this week the tunnel kiln was in operation and turning out small diameter pipe. The periodic kilns are completing an order for Interpace, and wind-up work is being done in the architectural products department to complete a couple of Interpace contracts. The new owners purchased several small existing contracts for architectural products and these will be in progress, according to Watts. Urethane operations will start up again next week on small pipe. Production of larger diameter pipe is expected to start the following week, according to Watts. The plant manager said he hopes to get the roof and floor tile department back into production as soon as possible. The local pottery has been in operation for the past 101 years as a leading manufacturer of clay sewer pipe, roof tile, floor tile and architectural products. Note: Gladding McBean celebrated 150 years in 2025 and continues to produce all materials. They are at the corner of 7th Street and Lincoln Boulevard. To learn more about the pottery, visit the Lincoln Area Archives Museum. If you are looking for something fun to fill a bit of your time, museum volunteers of all ages are needed, no experience necessary. Open Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street. 916-645-3800. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Camp Beale: Camp Beale is still being considered as the possible site for the West Point of the Air, according to a recent release. It is the only site in California which is to be considered, and is one of seven sites throughout the country now under study. Senator Richard M. Nixon has asked all California congressmen to join him in an effort to obtain the Air Force Academy for Camp Beale. Camp Beale is located 10 miles south of Marysville. Note: The Air Force Academy was not established at Beale. In 1954, the academy opened in Colorado. Parking: Letters were mailed out this week to Lincoln businessmen by Mayor C.J. Hughes, asking for their ideas concerning limited parking on two of Lincoln's main business streets. The letter was sent out, as Mayor Hughes expressed it, "In view of the fact that numerous requests have come to the City Council for limited parking …" The two streets which would be affected are 5th Street between F and G streets, and G Street between 4th and 7th streets. Those receiving the letters were given a choice of checking "yes" or "no" on whether they wish to limit parking. They were also asked to make any comment regarding the idea of limited parking. Note: Lincoln Boulevard was formerly known as G Street. Ad: Tofft Hardware, who were in business for 99 years, ran an ad for Youngstown Kitchenaiders. It was a 54" deluxe version with a porcelain sink and top; the cabinet was metal. The description is as follows: "Dishwashing is a breeze with this big, sparkling beauty. Storage space galore, with five drawers, two compartments. Loads of work surface – handy sliding shelf, removable cutting board. And so easy to own! Fourteen points to perfection. One piece, acid-resisting, porcelain-enamel top; 4-inch backsplash prevents wall splashing; special "crumb cup" strainer eliminates dishpan; no splash bowl; swinging faucet and automatic, flexible rinse spray; spacious, easy sliding drawers; sliding shelf, removable cutting board; doors and drawers sound-deadened; space for all utensils; high-quality chrome hardware; all steel, all welded, no sharp corners; recessed base allows room for toes and knees; cutlery drawer with compartments; storage capacity of 14.25 cubic feet (more than the average refrigerator)." Note: The price was not listed. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910 and 1920) Bridge: The bridge over the Auburn Ravine at the entrance to town is criticized as one of the worst from Sacramento to Red Bluff. The Town Trustees have entered into a contract with the State Commission to build a new cement bridge at this point. Then it will be one of the best in this locality. Note: This is the bridge coming into town on what is now Lincoln Boulevard. The bridge coming into town from Hwy 193 was built in 1924. Bootlegging: Officer Provines is not a booze hound but he has a wonderful faculty of locating it, having located a still in a house on the west side of town near the Methodist church and very near the home of one of the editors. The operator proved to be a man who, of course, pleaded ignorance of the law. The still was a very crude affair, as it was constructed of tin oil cans and lead pipes. It would make a fellow sick to look at it and much sicker if he should drink the liquor that came from it. Mrs. Helen S., a woman bootlegger, was arrested in Sheridan last Friday night by officers Dependener and Beermann and plead guilty in Judge Grey's Court and was fined $300 or 300 days in jail. She went to jail. She was very abusive to the arresting officers. Last Sunday night, a truck came up G Street in a hurry loaded with barrels, leaving behind a trail of liquid. Several old hounds on the corner scented it as booze. The alarm was given, not so much because the law was being violated but because the booze was going to waste. Officer Provines got on the trail and as the track was a hot one, he soon brought them to bay in the rear of the brick row principally occupied by workers. Three barrels of wine were found and the truck and its owner were taken into custody but were released on bonds. Thank you for reading! MBO