Ohio History
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| Blacksmith Shop |
Stay in the same historical era with me for just another minute and we'll go a few miles from Behalt. Wendell August Forge, one of the country's oldest and largest forges, was established in 1923 by (you guessed it!) Wendell McMinn August. He employed the skills of several blacksmiths who worked in his Pennsylvania coal mine, to create decorative ironware for residential and commercial use. A successful contract in 1928 with a Columbus bank prompted Wendell August Forge to relocate in Grove City, Ohio. The business prospered and eventually spread to four locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including the one we visited in Holmes County.
The Forge was an industry leader in the art of forging aluminum, which was growing in demand at that time. Everything from decorative elevator gates to Christmas tree ornaments could be forged from the versatile aluminum. Wendell August did just that and more, creating jewelry, collectors' plates, bowls, fireplace andirons, vases, candlesticks, doorknockers, and more. Above are just a few of the detailed plates we marveled at, featuring detailed city scenes.
3 comments:
I didn't know he started out in Grove City . . .
Amazing! Must take them a while to make one of those.
You're right about that - see my next post for the whole eight-step process!
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