Blacksmithing

The blacksmith was an important part of the early rural Florida pioneer settlement. There was usually one blacksmith shop in each settlement. The blacksmith had the responsibility of making many different items for the settlers, such as shovels, hoes, scythes, cowbells and gate latches. The blacksmith also created wagon wheel rims and other various mechanical wagon parts. For home and building construction, the blacksmith made all of the nails by hand. The blacksmith also made household items such as knives, ice tongs, hinges, door knockers, window hooks, pokers and pot hooks. The blacksmith was also responsible for repairing these tools.

Blacksmith and carriage shop on Call Street - Moitts, Florida. 1900. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
Accessed 29 Jun. 2023.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/36027>

The town blacksmith also created items such as horse shoes and the tools needed to apply them. This work was sometimes done by a farrier (someone who specialized in the making and application of horseshoes). However, in the time of the pioneers, a single blacksmith usually performed all of these duties.