Near St. James in Phelps County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Wagon Rim Shaper
[The Blacksmith Shop]
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2020
1. Wagon Rim Shaper Marker
in honor
of her husband
Richard P. Witzke
Born - January 30, 1906
Deceased - August 2, 1981
A true village blacksmith
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The blacksmith was a very important man in the Maramec Iron Works. The scene here depicts a typical blacksmith shop and the "smiths" can be seen shoeing a horse and, on the left, tyring a wheel. In tyring, the wheel is dished or shaped and clamped to a tyring platform. A metal bar is then heated, bent into a ring, and dropped over the wheel by ironworkers using tongs. Next water is thrown on the red-hot band causing it to contract. The dish-shaped wheel is then lifted from the shaper and set on a wagon axle.
Erected by The James Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 30, 1906.
Location. 37° 57.329′ N, 91° 32.009′ W. Marker is near St. James, Missouri, in Phelps County. It can be reached from Maramec Spring Drive. Marker is in the Maramec
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Dunmoor" Lintels (a few steps from this marker); Bloomery Forge Trip Hammer (a few steps from this marker); Suspension Railroad Drop Bucket (a few steps from this marker); Anchony-Chaffery Hammer (a few steps from this marker); Two-Wheeled Charcoal Barrow (a few steps from this marker); Furnace Shelter (within shouting distance of this marker); Rainbows & Browns (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paying for Trout (about 400 feet
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2020
2. Wagon Rim Shaper Marker
Regarding Wagon Rim Shaper. Although wheels were repaired in concert with a blacksmith, the wheelwright was the specialist in wheel repairs.
Also see . . .
1. The Craft of the Wheelwright (Turner). (Submitted on October 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Maramec Iron Works National Register District Nomination Form. (Submitted on October 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Maramec Spring Park History. (Submitted on October 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2020
3. Wagon Rim Shaper and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2020
4. Wagon Rim Shaper and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2020
5. Maramec Spring Park Entrance
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on October 13, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
