In 1934, Franciscan tableware began being produced by Gladding, McBean and Company at their Glendale, California plant. This company was formed in 1875 for the purpose of making sewer tiles for the rapidly growing American West. As time went on, they also bought several regional potteries and began several product lines including art pottery, garden pottery, roof tile, and decorative art tiles.

Initially, this tableware was sold under the name of Franciscan Pottery. It included earthenware in solid and bright colors formed in the Mexican folk pottery style. This casual dinnerware gave some warmth to the otherwise bleak Great Depression era. Alluding to the Franciscan monks, the name of Franciscan tableware further conjured the image of the Southwest. In 1930, Franciscan patterns boasted names such as Coronado, Montecito, and El Patio. They were quite popular and sold well.

The name was changed to Franciscan Ware during the latter part of the 1930’s to achieve of a more upscale image. This name change was followed by the introduction of hand painted patterns in raised relief. These were also wildly successful. Two of these designs are the only ones that are still in production today. They are the Franciscan Apple of 1940 and the Franciscan Desert Rose of 1941. The Franciscan tableware pattern of the Desert Rose is the most sold American dinnerware of all time.

Collectors search high and low for the Franciscan pattern of Wildflower. It is painted by hand and is made up of many colors to pay tribute to the American west flowers. It was only made for three years which makes it even more sought after by these collectors.

In spite of its many different designs over the years, many mergers and sales lead to the closing of the American Franciscan factory 1984. Due to the joining with International Pipe and Ceramics Corporation, known as INTERPACE, in 1962, it was easy for this dissolve the Franciscan factory and be absorbed into INTERPACE. Franciscan tableware continued to be produced, however, due to the 1979 purchase from Josiah Wedgewood and Sons, LTD of England until 1984 when all American produced Franciscan Ware stopped to be continued in England.