The rise and fall of an art form: Architectural terra cotta on California's coast from the early 1900s to 1930s

The use of architectural terra cotta was a major trend that escalated in the early 1900s on the West Coast. This study examines the sources of clay, techniques, and early terra cotta businesses. A visual analysis of the elements of art firmly place terra cotta as an important medium in an epoch of architectural art making. Key architects and their buildings are investigated for the legendary work they accomplished. The central argument purports that the fall of the industry was not solely based upon the depression years, but upon a turn away from the medium of terra cotta as style and taste changed and mechanization replaced artistic talent. The significance of this vanishing art form points to the necessity of historic preservation.