Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Co. 1886-1966

For many decades, Grand Ledge was known around the country for its clay industry. Grand Ledge was the clay products capital of Michigan and some years produced more clay products than any city in the nation. The large industrial pottery factories began here in the 1880s.

Local investors decided to capitalize on Grand Ledge’s rich clay deposits found in the area. They purchased 40 acres on the south side of West Jefferson Street and founded the Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Company in 1886. Shale was quarried in a pit on the site behind the factory. The clay was fired in 12 large bee-hive kilns to produce a wide range of sewer and drainage tile. After just a few years, with the clay pit was being exhausted, the plant was sold in 1898 to the Ohio-based American Sewer Pipe Company.

Ohio companies were the main competition to the Grand Ledge industry. Ohio workers also came along with the purchased and settled in the area. During this time 61 acres were purchased across Jefferson, along the River. A new quarry was begun near what is today the water treatment plant. Shale was put into small rail cars and pulled by mules along narrow tracks to the factory across the road.

The company became American Vitrified Products in 1912. It was the largest factory of its type in Michigan and one of the largest in the United States, employing about 100 men. Working with the hot kilns, fire was always a danger. The plant caught fire and burned in 1923 and was rebuilt larger in 1924. The Great Depression forced the closure of the plant from 1930-1937. “Vitrified”, as it was known, reopened and was in operation until 1966.

The following year the land was sold to the City. The 61 acres north of Jefferson were added to Fitzgerald Park. A few years later the 40 acres south of Jefferson were developed into the Ravines Mobile Home Park. The name “ravines” referees to the old clay pit on the property. Most of this pit was filled in during the construction process. The area of Valley Ridge Street was the storage yard for tile waiting for delivery. Fiddler’s Cove Street now occupies the site of the old factory.