Doherty's Blacksmith Shop

The former site of Doherty's blacksmith shop, set close to the road and constructed of brick. Note the board sidewalks in the accompanying photo, and many homes in the background still stand today.

Lynden, like many other settlements, had a number of blacksmiths over the years. Before widespread industrialization, blacksmiths would make everything from horseshoes to nails and repaired tools and farm implements. An earlier frame shop at this location served both the blacksmith's need for space as well as several wagonmakers who sublet part of it.

In May of 1886, Samuel Doherty bought the property from Nathan Vansickle for $500. By 1894 he had the frame structure removed, and built a new brick blacksmith shop. When Doherty and his family decided to relocate to London in 1912 after years of service to the community, the citizens of Lynden showed their appreciation by presenting them with a silver service.

A few blacksmiths filled the position after Doherty left, and the property was purchased by Edgar Krouse in 1920. He had learned blacksmithing and the mechanical trade as an apprentice at his father's shop in Copetown. Shortly after coming to Lynden, Edgar discontinued blacksmithing, as he preferred repair work on the increasingly popular automobiles and trucks. His business, known as the Central Garage, would operate at this location for the next forty-five years. He served as Lynden's fire chief for most of that time, and was also a skilled rifleman, acting as the president of the Hamilton Gun Club in 1938.

After Krouse's retirement, the property was sold a few times. The doors were altered in the late 1980s to accomodate larger vehicles. The brick shop was demolished in 2001.