Magic Of The Firehouse Pottery And Gallery

The Firehouse Pottery & Gallery

The Firehouse Pottery and Gallery makes a range of stoneware pottery and also takes on commissioned work. The owner, Keith Thomson, shapes all the clay pots by hand on a potter’s wheel. He welcomes visitors, so you can visit the studio and watch him make them.

Besides pottery, Keith also makes clay sculptures and offers pottery-making lessons to children and adults. The gallery is next to the pottery studio and has a good collection of clayware. They also sell clayware, paintings, and jewelry made by local artists.

History of the Firehouse Pottery Building

Situated in Fort Worth’s old Eastside, there is a fascinating history behind the studio’s name — it was once an actual firehouse. The building, which houses the studio, dates back to 1928. At this time, the city council built it to serve as a fire engine station.

The building’s designer was the well-known architect Wiley G. Clarkson. He also designed some of the public schools and residences in the city. For the fire-engine station, his plan was to make it look like a bungalow. First of all, he wanted it to blend in with the suburban residences in the area. Second, having fire engine stations that look like bungalows was trendy in Fort Worth in the 1920s.

The Architecture of the Firehouse Building

The building had an exposed brown brickwork exterior and half-timbered Tudor gables with small windows. The entrance to the station’s office had a gabled portico that was held up with stucco columns. The garage, where the fire truck was parked, had doors that looked like the typical car garage doors of that time.

In 1983, the city council moved the fire-engine station to a larger building and sold off the property. The building’s new owner turned it into a wedding chapel, and the next owner ran a photography studio in the building. One or both did some remodeling. After removing the garage doors and enclosing the room, they plastered over the brickwork and painted it white.

Since 2003, the current owner has maintained the building as a designated historic property. He hopes to restore the building’s exterior and garage doors.

Driving Directions From The Firehouse Pottery & Gallery To The Medlin Law Firm

Driving Directions From The Firehouse Pottery & Gallery To Sid Richardson Museum