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By 1924, the owners decided it was time to expand their product line and Medalta Stoneware became Medalta Potteries. Jesse William Wyatt, an experienced English potter who had originally immigrated to Ontario, was hired as plant superintendent.

15

Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel Dining Room
20th Century, Circa 1940's - 1950's
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada


Credits:
Friends of Medalta Society Archives

16

In the 1930's, Medalta was one of only two Canadian companies producing lamp bases. In the 1940's and into the 1950's, they were a major provider of dinner ware to the armed services, the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway. They supplied hotels and restaurants with the sturdy dishes which still can be found in use today.

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Arial View of Medalta Potteries Limited, Medicine Hat
20th Century, Circa 1947
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada


Credits:
Friends of Medalta Society Archives

18

Medalta Potteries Limited officially closed its doors in 1954. It is possible that the factory could have survived a decade or so longer, had it not been that W.G. Pulkingham, who bought the company in 1952, decided to re-focus the product line to theatre give-aways and away from the highly profitable hotel ware.
Two final attempts were made to run a pottery on the site - New Medalta Ceramics in 1958 and Sunburst Ceramics from 1960 - 1966.

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Medalta Potteries Clay Processing Area
20th Century, Circa 1990
Medalta Potteries Limited, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada


Credits:
Lorne Simpson

20

In 1971, University of Alberta researchers did a study to determine the historical value of the area. A handful of hardy souls waged a long battle with the powers that be to try and save the old buildings and kilns. Thanks to the positive outcome of the study and the tenacity of those few visionaries who fought to save a piece of this city's history, what remains of the former Medalta factory has become a viable pottery museum and construction is almost completed for a centre for contemporary ceramics which will operate a year-round residency program.

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Medalta Potteries Limited Kilns and Other Structures
20th Century, Circa 2008
Medalta Potteries Limited, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada


Credits:
Tom Hamilton

22

Today, the entire area of 150 acres, encompassing several old factory locations and neighbouring homes, has been declared The Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District, preserving a glimpse into the past for future generations.