The Blacksmith shop was used for making nails, rings, hangers, and wrought
iron kettles for the Bakehouse and kitchen. They also had to make locks
for the fort's warehouses which held all the furs. Inside they had anvils
and fire. To make the fire burn hot they used a type of coal called coke.
Coke burned faster, hotter, and better. The fire burned real good because
of the coke and bellows which provided extra oxygen for the fire. First
you would heat the iron. Then you would pound the iron and then dip it in
some cold water. They had to use fire to make the iron bendable and easier
to shape.
Click here to see a QuickTime movie of the blacksmith's
steps in making a rod.
