Discovery of high grade clay deposits in the area in 1874 led Charles Gladding, Peter McGill McBean, and George Chambers to found Gladding, McBean & Co. and to erect on this site the first clay sewer pipe plant west of the Rocky Mountains in June 1875. The first shipment of clay pipe arrived in San Francisco on August 6, 1875. Gladding, McBean later merged with Lock Joint Pipe Co. of New Jersey and assumed the new name of Interpace Corporation.