Chittenango Pottery
Why it's listed
Two large brick buildings beside the Erie Canal at Chittenango Landing, New York, are what remain of the Chittenango Pottery. Built in 1898-99 after two fires destroyed earlier wood buildings, they were once joined by a section holding bottle kilns, since demolished. The south building was used for decorating, glazing and packing china, while the north Sagger Building housed raw materials and the making of saggers, the clay boxes that protected ware during firing. Clay from Ohio and coal arrived by canal, and finished goods shipped to markets across the United States and abroad. English potters guided early production of bone china, and the firm made commemorative pieces for the 1901 Pan American Exposition. Ownership and products changed repeatedly, including a period as a chicken farm, a burial vault plant and an auto body shop. Because the buildings are the last surviving structures of the canal's industrial corridor in the area, they were recognized for their industrial importance. The complex has been empty since 1997.
Significance in brief: The pottery is significant under Criterion A for its link to industrial development along the Erie Canal near Chittenango Landing. The canal brought in clay and coal and carried finished china to markets in the United States and abroad. The two buildings are the only surviving structures from the area's once busy canal-side industrial and service corridor. Its architecture is also listed as an area of significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09001083, listed December 11, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 11-13 Pottery St., Chittenango |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | December 11, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09001083 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898-1923 |
| Architectural style | Other: no style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The complex has been vacant since 1997, after use as a burial vault factory and an auto body shop. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 43.06114, -75.86785 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09001083.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5102448
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.