Forging Character
| | Herbert Hoover National Historic Site | |
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.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #31 Herbert Hoover series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 41° 40.226′ N, 91° 20.831′ W. Marker is in West Branch, Iowa, in Cedar County. It is on Penn Street when traveling west. Located in front
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Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest 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 and also the Louisiana Purchase.
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 shouting distance of this marker); Herbert Hoover (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named C.E. Smith House (within shouting distance of this marker); From Downey Street to Pennsylvania Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mackey House (within shouting distance of this marker); Garvin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Varney House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West
Other markers no longer nearby. Schoolhouse (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Herbert Hoover's Birthplace (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The C.E. Smith House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Hannah Varney House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Amanda Garvin Cottage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 29, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (National Park Service). (Submitted on July 29, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
