The Blacksmith Shop

Some pioneer farms, as they became established, had their own basic blacksmithing setup. However, very few early farmers had the skills to work with iron, so the village ‘smithy’ became a vital member of the community.  On a homestead of this size and with a busily operating sawmill, the skills of the blacksmith were highly valued.

Much of what the pioneers used was at least, in part, made of iron, and everything had to be made by hand. With forge, bellows, anvil, tongs and hammer, the blacksmith manufactured all sorts of metal items - from nails and hinges, to axe heads and horseshoes. 

The ring of the blacksmith’s hammer on the anvil can still often be heard at the O’Hara Mill Homestead during events and demonstrations days.

To take a Virtual Tour of the Blacksmith Shop, click here.