HISTORICAL ROOF TILE
With more than 150 years of craftsmanship and access to some of the world’s richest clay reserves, Gladding, McBean has been a leader in the production of historic clay roof tile. Our tiles have crowned landmark buildings across the country, combining time-honored manufacturing methods with carefully refined techniques that preserve the character and performance of traditional clay roofing. By honoring historic designs while utilizing modern production capabilities, Gladding, McBean continues to reproduce and restore many of the world’s most recognized architectural roof tile styles.
Pasadena Central Library
The roof of Pasadena Central Library is clad with historic clay roof tile produced by Gladding, McBean & Co., one of the most influential architectural ceramics manufacturers in the American West. Following its acquisition of Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company in the early twentieth century, Gladding, McBean significantly expanded its roof tile offerings and became a leading supplier for the Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, and Mediterranean Revival buildings that defined California architecture during the 1920s.
Among the most notable Los Angeles Pressed Brick roof tile profiles incorporated into the Gladding, McBean portfolio was the "Junipero" Two-Piece Mission Tile, the profile used at Pasadena Central Library. The distinctive design became a hallmark of Southern California architecture and remains influential today, with modern reproductions still available in the marketplace.
Another highly successful Los Angeles Pressed Brick profile was the 13-inch and 14-inch Baby "S" Tile, a clay roofing tile widely specified throughout Southern California. These historic designs continue to be replicated by contemporary manufacturers, underscoring the enduring impact of Gladding, McBean's contribution to the region's architectural heritage.
Today, the roof of Pasadena Central Library stands as an important example of the craftsmanship and design excellence associated with Gladding, McBean's historic clay tile production, preserving an architectural tradition that helped shape the visual identity of California's most iconic civic buildings.
Encina Hall, Stanford University
1891
Cordova Tile was established in 1990, continuing the tradition of handcrafted architectural clay tile for historic and institutional buildings. One of its earliest connections to Stanford University came through Encina Hall, where the first shipment of Cordova tile is believed to have been delivered in 1991.
The relationship between Stanford and the Gladding, McBean & Co. (GMCB) tile brand dates back much further. Company lore holds that Jane Stanford and Mrs. Gladding shared a friendship, and that Mrs. Stanford became a strong supporter of the GMCB product. As a result, GMCB tile became a specified roofing material at Stanford and has remained part of the university's architectural standards for generations. The brand continues to be specified on Stanford projects today.
Encina Hall itself occupies a significant place in Stanford history. Opened in 1891 as the university's first men's dormitory, the massive sandstone building was considered one of the finest dormitories in the country, housing up to 400 students. During the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Encina Hall suffered severe damage when its ornamental chimney collapsed through multiple floors. The building was the site of the only student fatality at Stanford resulting from the earthquake, making it one of the most historically significant structures on campus.
The use of traditional clay tile roofing on landmark buildings such as Encina Hall reflects Stanford's long commitment to durable, historically appropriate materials—a legacy with which both Gladding, McBean and Cordova Tile have been closely associated.
King Kalakaua Building
1920
The King David Kalākaua Building was most recently reroofed in 2025 using Franciscan Blend Cordova Two‑Piece tile, continuing a legacy of traditional clay roofing that has defined the structure for more than a century. Its previous roof—original GMcB Roof Tile in a Franciscan blend—performed exceptionally well for nearly 100 years, a rare testament to both the durability of the material and the craftsmanship of the original installation.
Marysville High School
The roof at Marysville High School features Franciscan Blend Cordova clay tile, continuing a long tradition of Mission Revival architecture on the campus. The original roof was installed in the 1920s, during a major period of campus expansion when additional classroom wings and gymnasiums were added to accommodate a growing student population. Many of the GMcB clay tiles still found on site date back to this era, reflecting the durability and timeless character of the material.
This early‑20th‑century construction phase established the architectural identity that remains central to the school’s appearance today. Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial influences—red clay tile roofing, stucco walls, arched entries, and courtyard‑style layouts—were especially popular for California civic and educational buildings at the time. The use of clay tile not only contributed to the visual cohesion of the campus but also ensured longevity; the original 1920s tile roof performed for decades, demonstrating the strength and reliability of traditional clay roofing systems.
Powell Library
1929
Powell Library (1929) is an award‑winning architectural cornerstone of UCLA’s Westwood campus and one of its original buildings. Designed by George W. Kelham between 1926 and 1929, the library exemplifies the Californian Lombardesque Romanesque Revival style, drawing inspiration from the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. Distinctive features include forty printers’ marks from 15th‑ and 16th‑century Europe displayed in the main reading room.
GMcB architectural elements were originally installed in 1930 and later reinstalled or replaced during the library’s 1995 renovation.