West Branch in Cedar County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Forging Character
— Herbert Hoover National Historic Site —
Photographed By Connor Olson, July 26, 2020
1. Forging Character Marker
Inscription.
Forging Character. . As a boy Herbert Hoover liked to watch his father, Jesse, shoe horses and repair plows, but he was not always careful. "Playing barefoot around the blacksmith shop," he recalled, "I stepped on a chip of hot iron and carry the brand of Iowa on my foot to this day."
Come back during open hours to see the shop's interior and occasional blacksmithing demonstrations.
Photo captions: , In 1957 the Hoover Birthplace Society built this re-creation of Jesse's shop. The original had been in the lot to your right. , Jesse Hoover, a well-liked and fair businessman, sold his blacksmith shop and opened a farm machinery business on Main Street in 1878.
As a boy Herbert Hoover liked to watch his father, Jesse, shoe horses and repair plows, but he was not always careful. "Playing barefoot around the blacksmith shop," he recalled, "I stepped on a chip of hot iron and carry the brand of Iowa on my foot to this day."
Come back during open hours to see the shop's interior and occasional blacksmithing demonstrations.
Photo captions:
In 1957 the Hoover Birthplace Society built this re-creation of Jesse's shop. The original had been in the lot to your right. Jesse Hoover, a well-liked and fair businessman, sold his blacksmith shop and opened a farm machinery business on Main Street in 1878.
Erected by National Park Service, US Department of the Interior.
Location. 41° 40.226′ N, 91° 20.831′ W. Marker is in West Branch, Iowa, in Cedar County. Marker is on Penn Street when traveling west. Located in front of the re-created blacksmith shop. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Branch IA 52358, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Learning their A, B, Cs (a few steps from this marker); Birthplace Cottage (within
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
