The first blacksmith shops were as essential in the early days as garages are now. It was at these shops that all the tools, nails, pipe tongs, needles and also the iron parts needed for the ship building were made. They used the old bark mill power at Cripps Stream to polish the pitchforks when done. All the horseshoes were hand made until the early 1900's. All the wagons and sleighs were made and repaired here also.

The first shop to be recorded was operated by Benjamin Gardiner on the Abagadassett Point. The first one in the village was owned by Alexander located near Lithco Allens home near the Brooklyn bridge. There were many shop owners but the ones since 1860 were Vincent Given, William Curtis, Martin Chapman. John Hysler's shop was located where Blakes store now is. James Brawn's at the foot of Main Street where Peterson's Mill is now located. Three members of the Temple family, John, Jean, and his son Irving owned a blacksmith shop also in that area. After commercially made horseshoes were available many people did their own shoeing and as automobiles became more plentiful they gradually replaced the horse and buggy and the blacksmith shops were no longer needed. Joseph Fulton worked the blacksmith trade along with his carriage shop for those who needed his services until it was discontinued entirely.

These shops served as gathering places to meet your friends and swap gossip and troubles while your work was being done. Many times there were some pretty serious horseshoe games that attracted both young and old. The young people of today miss much by not having these friendly places to gather.

by George Brawn

Bicentennial Booklet 1962