Western Stoneware 5 Gallon Water Cooler

The Monmouth Pottery Company of Monmouth, Illinois began production in 1894 producing a wide range of utilitarian wares, crock jars, jugs, stoneware, bowls, and churns etc.. By 1902, they were primarily using the maple leaf logo with the words "Monmouth Pottery Co. Monmouth, Ill" in the center of most of their wares, crocks, jugs etc. During this period they were also producing advertising pieces, miniatures, stoneware pigs and cows and calves. The Monmouth Pottery Company was in operation until 1905 when it was sold, one of the seven companies to form the Western Stoneware Company in 1906 that continues to operate to this day.

One of their early pottery known sits on display with this 5 Gallon Water Cooler. If you notice around the school there is no internal water fountain or pumping, as you will find in all modern schools, since most rural buildings would not have access to water infrastructure as their urban counterparts. Instead, water was collected from wells or springs for the thirsty students of the school.