la luz pottery factory


With the rise in popularity of Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture across the United States, there was the need for roof tiles and associated decorative pottery. Seeing an opportunity for a source closer the the east, Rowland Hazard established La Luz Pottery Factory at the confluence of La Luz and Fresnal creeks, an outcrop of red clay in 1930, and the railroad line between Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. The factory churned out roof tiles, saltillo tiles, Mediterranean pottery, urns, and chimney tops. The company sold tiles in 44 of the 50 states and in several foreign countries, having a showroom in New York City.

Besides many of the origianl buildings, the site still has its tall chimney, part of the large down-draft kiln used to fire La Luz products. Operators fired the kiln with fuel oil. A smaller kiln and chimney were used to test glazes and new items. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society, owners of the site, plan to rebuild the smaller chimney. 

World War II and the loss of it's potters to better paying jobs elsewhere caused the factory to abruptly cease operations in 1948 (the kiln still has about 5,000 fired roofing tiles in it). After exchanging hands several times (and being used as a hippy commune in the 70s), an owner donated the property to the Tularosa Basin Historical Society.

The factory does not hold regular hours, so check with the Society before heading out (575-437-8755). At the time of my visit in July 2023, there were tours two Saturdays a month at 10 am. The society also holds pottery classes at the factory (you'll need to be in the area for a week to get your final pot!).

 











































 

 

 

 

 

 

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