The journey of Haegar Potteries begins with a smart capitalistic German brick-maker who began his own brickyard in 1871 in Dundee , Illinois . How did this man, David Haeger, profit so much from solely producing bricks and roof tiles back then? The Great Chicago Fire, which destroyed nearly 17,500 buildings, was a highly prosperous unfortunate circumstance that paid off well for David's Dundee Brickyard for the next 25 years. In time, Dundee Brickyard added another product and split into Haeger Potteries, which celebrated 125 years of business in 1996.

After David's death in 1900, his sons expanded the product line to include red clay pots that were sold to florists. On July 16, 1919 , son Edmund purchased the pottery division and named his company Haeger Potteries. Haeger vases have been a popular staple of the floral industry ever since. For decades the Haeger name has been applied to a large collection of planters, vases, figurines, candleholders, bowls, urns, ashtrays, bookends, and lamps. According to the 1996 125th anniversary product catalog, Haeger Potteries "produce the most collected accessories for the home - destined to continue into the 21st Century and beyond."

In 1912, Edmund Haeger introduced the first Haeger glazed ceramic products. The Haeger glaze is famous and unmistakable to the experienced eye. Otherwise unmarked pieces can be identified as Haeger by the characteristic combination of color and finish that was popular in each decade of Haeger production. For example, items from the 1950~s are pink or lime green while items from the 1970~s are orange and brown. The introductory line of glazed art ware became so popular that by 1920, better department stores across the country were selling Haeger products and factory output tripled.

Haeger Potteries scored a marketing coupe when the company participated in the 1934 Chicago World's Fair, also known as Century of Progress. For the yearlong exposition, Edmund Haeger exhibited a complete ceramic works that demonstrated both current and southwest Native American pottery techniques. Over four million people were introduced to Haeger products during the fair.

The third generation of management leadership was handed the torch in 1938 to Joseph Estes, son-in-law of Edmund Haeger. Upon Edmund's passing in 1971, Joseph took over as president of the company. The fourth generation entered upon Joseph's passing in 1979 to his daughter Alexandra Haeger Estes, who still presides over the whole corporation Haeger Industries.

Who would want to collect common red clay pots used by florists? Well, this ordinary product doesn't hold much more than sentimental value. However, the finer and unique vases and figurines are highly collectible and sought after antiques. The better quality antiques can get as much as several hundred dollars from dedicated collectors.

The fine journey that Dave Haeger and later that his son Edmund Haeger took to benefit the brick and ceramic industries has not ended since its beginning 125 years ago; these new and antique collectibles remain a hot item on the market today and more customers continue to discover what makes Haeger Potteries such a sought after product.

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