The Wedgewood stove was manufactured in Newark, California, originally by the James Graham Manufacturing Company and later as a division of Rheem. Gas ranges and stand-alone ovens marketed under the Wedgewood brand were particularly popular in the Western United States in the early and middle of the 20th Century.
| Company type | Defunct |
|---|---|
| Industry | Appliance |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Fate | closed down: early 1970s (approx.) |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products | gas ranges, electric ranges, built-in gas cooktops and ovens |
History
editJames Graham immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area from Canada in 1877. Following several years of employment at ironworks operations, Graham founded his own company in 1882, selling an early version of the Wedgewood stove. Following his death in 1902, his sons took over, eventually employing over 400 people at its Newark factory. The company also had sales operations in Seattle and Los Angeles, leading Wedgewood to become one of the best known stoves in the Western United States in the early 20th Century.[1][2]
In 1951, Rheem purchased the James Graham Manufacturing Company.[3] The ranges were then sold under the Rheem Wedgewood brand.[4] Rheem then purchased stovemaker Western Holly in 1956.[5] Some stoves were also sold under the Wedgewood-Holly brand, but by the early 1970s the brand ceased to exist.[6]
Features
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Popularity
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2024) |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Merritt, Frank Clinton (1928). History of Alameda County. S.J. Clarke.
- ^ Fendelman, Helaine; Rosson, Joe (October 23, 2013). "Treasures in Your Attic: Value of Wedgewood stove depends on location". Kankakee Daily Journal.
- ^ "The Rheem Story". Metal Products Manufacturing. 13: 5. 1956.
- ^ "Quality enamel finishing on Rheem Wedgewood Range". Western Metalworking. 11: 68. 1953.
- ^ "News Notes From Manufacturers". Gas Appliance Merchandising: 6. November 1956.
- ^ Ingalls, Thomas (1987). American Style: Classic Product Design From Airstream to Zippo. Chronicle Books. p. 28.