Mahoning County Courthouse is Ready For Restoration, Receives First Shipment of Terra Cotta

A vintage postcard illustrates the Mahoning County Court House, Youngstown, Ohio, on Oct. 23, 1911. According to the Ohio Courthouse Project, this courthouse was built in 1910. Image Courtesy of: http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com
The first shipment of terra cotta has arrived and awaits installation at the Mahoning County Courthouse.
The terra cotta is fired, ornamental clay masonry that will be placed at or near the roof of the 105-year-old building, whose $6 million, two-year restoration is to be completed this fall. The first installment, consisting of 124 creamy-white glazed pieces, each bearing an identifying number indicating where it is to be placed, was delivered April 28 encased in foam in 16 plastic-covered wooden crates.
Shipments will continue during the summer. A total of 730 pieces of terra cotta, made from 105 molds, will be delivered from Boston Valley Terra Cotta of Orchard Park, N.Y.
“It’s world-class,” he said of Boston Valley’s work. “We’re very fortunate that the people that are making the terra cotta are the best in the United States.”
Boston Valley is one of only two makers of terra cotta in the country.
“It’s an amazing process, and it goes back centuries,” Ricciuti said of the manufacturing he saw when he toured the company’s plant late last year.
— Architect Paul Ricciuti, the county’s project manager
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Click here to read the full article on Vindy.com & check out the photos below of the terra cotta pieces in our factory.

Hand press moulds for terra cotta pieces @ Boston Valley Terra Cotta for the restoration of the Mahoning County Courthouse.

Mould @ Boston Valley Terra Cotta for the terra cotta pieces for the Mahoning County Courthouse restoration project.

Terra Cotta pieces on their way to the driers for the Mahoning County Courthouse restoration project @ Boston Valley Terra Cotta.

More terra cotta pieces on their way to the driers for the Mahoning County Courthouse restoration project.

Fired pieces @ Boston Valley Terra Cotta, ready to be sent out for installation.