Blacksmith Shops

A very necessary complement to farm life were the blacksmith and carriage shops. North Tryon, in addition to some on the farm blacksmith shops, had three shops that served the public: one on the east side of the Crossroad, about half way between the Trans Canada and Cape Traverse Road; one at the eastern end of the district on the south side of the Bedeque road; and the other one on the southwest side of the Crossroad at Muirhead’s Comer.8

The Crossroad shop was owned by Henry Wood until his death in 1922 when his son Nathan took over. Alfred Keough ran the Wood shop after Nathan retired, however, Alfred closed the shop long before his death 1n 1961. Vernon Inman, who owns the land where the shop was located, tore down the buildings in the early 19605.9

The MacNeil Carriage Factory and Blacksmith Shop was on the south side of the Bedeque Road at the eastern end of the community and is shown on the 1880 Atlas. John MacNeil carried on an extensive busi- ness, and Thomas followed his father, John, in the carriage trade, making and painting all kinds of wagons and carts. 10

The last community smithy was James Arbing who came to North Tryon from Freetown in 1900. James bought the property that is now owned by the Gordon Cutcliffe family. He opened a blacksmith shop on the side of his property next to the Chisholm property. Jim Arbing

Jim Arbing’s Blacksmith Shop:Jim Arbing, second from left, in his blacksmith’s apron, with Luke Wood standing on the right behind the wagon with the buffalo robe on the seat. Adelaide Wood collection.

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