HISTORY

1924

Charles "Charley" McCandless started the tile business from his backyard in 1924.

1927-1930

Charley designed and installed many of the storefronts on Catalina Island from 1927-1930.

1934

1934- Charley was very much a part of the architectural history of Orange. He tiled many of the storefront, including Watson's drug store. He is most proud of tiling the fountain in the center of the Orange Plaza. It is still standing 86 years later (2020).

1951

1951- After WWII, Charley found the company growing and needed to build a larger shop to accomodate the new trucks, boxes of tile and other necessities. They bought land in Santa Ana and built the first shop at 636 Poinsettia Ave., CA 92701.

Charley

Charley standing in front of the original office building. Painted by Charley's second wife, Oleta McCandless.

1929

1929- Fountain at the Wrigley Mansion on Catalina Island. Tile by Catalina Potteries. Design and installation by Charles McCandless.

Bower's Museum

Charley installed the tile at the entry to The Bower's Museum in Santa Ana.

Bowling team

McCandless Tile bowling team. Dick Nunnelly (top right) was Charley's right hand man from the beginning.

1950

1950's - Ed Barr & Paul and Billy Hewlitt tiling the Orange High School Logo.

Painting of Charley

Painting of Charley in his work gear. Picture painted by Ron Duff, tile setter for McCandless Tile.

1955

1955 - Charles McCandless Jr. "Chuck", Charley's oldest son, came into the business. He started as a tile setter, journeyman and prepared to become an estimator. He went on to run the field office and eventually became the VP of the company.

1964

1964 - Fred McCandless, Charley's youngest son, came into the business after going to school for business. Fred oversaw and coordinated the office and the field.

1971

1971 - Disneyland Mural designed by Interface, installed by Charles McCandless (this mural was later demolished).

1974

1974 - The Company was contracted to lay all of the tile in the theme park at Disney World, Florida.

Under the supervision

Under the supervision of Joe Martin, the 800,000 square foot installation went smoothly to completion.

Disney World Florida

Disney World Florida continued... That is Charley taking a picture in the bottom left corner.

Garland Hedrick

Garland Hedrick (right) was an estimator from the 60's-80's. Marshall was the warehouse manager.

Mike Choate

Mike Choate - started working for McCandless Tile in 1973 as a finish tile setter. He worked his way up to become a foreman (1980) and an estimator (1983). Mike became part owner with Fred and Chuck.

Charley

Charley came into the office everyday. He never really retired.

McCandless tile

McCandless tile has completed much of the tile work at Knott's Berry Farm, including the fountain near the merry-go-round.

1983

1983 - New office building at original site of 636 Poinsettia, Santa Ana.

1990

1990's -Fred's son Mark was brought onto the team after he finished his degree at Long Beach State University (top left). He worked in the business since the age of 16 as a helper and tile setter. After college, he came into the office as an estimator and is currently the owner/president of McCandless Tile. Mark, Fred, Marshall, Mike, Chuck, Charley, Laurie, Garland, and Tina.

Mike Choate's son

Mike Choate's son, Zack, came to work for the shop (second from right). Garland Hedrick's son, Steve (Far right) also worked for the shop as an estimator. Chuck, Fred, Garland, Tina, Laurie, Mark, Zack, and Steve Hedrick.