Blacksmiths, Livery Stables and Wagon Makers - July 2014
Blacksmiths, livery stables and carriage makers were skilled tradesmen. These businesses are trades that we don't see today and they are true pieces of business Americana. When I visit the Indiana State Fair every year the one place that I always have to go and spend time in is the Pioneer Village. There you can see blacksmiths, potters, coppersmiths, threshing machines, saw mills and many other pioneer trades. These trades are still practiced by men and woman who have been gifted with the skill that we don't see in stores in our downtown areas anymore.
Today these businesses could be related to mechanics garages, or AutoZone and Napa Auto parts. In fact one of these new auto parts stores stands on the exact location as one of our original livery stables. So even though the building doesn't exist the property is still producing the same type of service to our public.
A blacksmith is a metal smith who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend, and cut (cf. whitesmith). Blacksmiths produce objects such as gates, grilles, railings, light fixtures, furniture, sculpture, tools, agricultural implements, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils, weapons and horseshoes.
While there are many people who work with metal such as farriers, wheelwrights, and armorers, the blacksmith had a general knowledge of how to make and repair many things, from the most complex of weapons and armor to simple things like nails or lengths of chain.
The "black" in "blacksmith" refers to the black fire scale, a layer of oxides that forms on the surface of the metal during heating. The origin of "smith" is debated, it may come from the old English word "smythe" meaning "to strike" or it may have originated from the Proto-German "smithaz" meaning "skilled worker.
Blacksmiths work by heating pieces of wrought iron or steel, until the metal becomes soft enough to be shaped with hand tools, such as a hammer, anvil and chisel. Heating is accomplished by the use of a forge fueled by propane, natural gas, coal, charcoal, coke or oil.
A blacksmith was very important trade to our early settlers. With horse and buggy and wagons as a means of transportation parts and repairs were needed.
 |
|
Mr. Jeffries taking his horse and buggy for a ride on the city streets of Greenfield. |
Under Feed Stable it listed John E. Tindale.
 |
|
This is a picture of Jeffries and Son Livery Stable which was located at the southeast corner of North St. and State Road 9. This building was torn down in early 2000’s and is now currently a parking lot. |
 |
|
Another view of the Jeffries and Son livery. This picture is taken on State Road 9 looking south. In the right hand corner of this picture you can see what most likely is or at least it is the same location of the Barr and Morford Blacksmith Shop. |
 |
|
Another picture of Jeffries Livery Stable from State Road 9 entrance. |
 |
|
This blacksmith shop was owned by Allan Cooper and Taylor Morford. It was in operation until 1906. They sold and manufactured Morford and Cooper wagons also which could be purchased for $70. They built 28 to 35 wagons a year. This stable was located on the corner of Pennsylvania and South Street, which today is the current location of NAPA Auto parts store. This same property or at least the Taylor Morford family side is also probably related to the Walker-Morford livery and stable listed in the 1882 directory and the Morford and Son which was listed in the 1916 directory. |
 |
|
This is a photo of Huston Livery Barn. It was believed to be located on S. Pennsylvania St. Tom Offutt is at the right, Ed Frost (auctioneer) is second from right, and Charles W. Huston is in the center and Ed Sullivan is third from the left. The date of this picture is May 5, 1911. |
 |
|
The picture above is the Wray Wagon, Machine and Carriage Shop, located west of the Wray residence on Main Street. It was operated by Samuel William Wray and his sons, Arch and John, until 1912. The Wray’s had a patent on a combination plow and corn planter. They had another patent which was sold to Studebaker Brothers in South Bend on a convertible wagon. The Wray residence was located at 403 W. Main Street. The home was moved in 1956 to 20 South Noble Street. |
 |
|
J. M. Hinchman Buggy Supplies was located at 202 E. Main Street. From their add on the side of the building you could get all of your buggy supplies from springs, wheels and harness. Today the property is home to the Kenneth Butler Soup Kitchen. |
 |
So the next time you head to the auto parts store think about getting shoes for your horse along with a little hey and water.
Greg Roland
Reference:
Richmond History of Hancock County
Binford History of Hancock County
Wikipedia
Images of America Hancock County, Indiana by Joe Skvarenina
Hancock County Historical Society
