Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Blacksmith Shop

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

1. Blacksmith Shop Marker

Inscription. The Blacksmith structure is new construction and not intended to be a reconstruction of the historic blacksmith shop at Fort Martin Scott. The original building was located at or near this site and was described in the 1853 inspection only as made of adobe 14x16.

The blacksmith at Fort Martin Scott provided for the post's iron needs. For the horses, the blacksmith fashioned iron horseshoes, metal buckles for saddles and bits for harnesses. As construction of the barracks and buildings got underway, the blacksmith hammered out hand-forged nails. The blacksmith also provided other manufactured metal pieces for the construction and maintenance of furniture, wagons, tools and barrels. In some cases, a skilled blacksmith could also serve as a gunsmith, repairing malfunctioning firearms. In other cases, he might serve as a wheelwright, fixing warped wagon wheels.

The stables near the blacksmith shop provided shelter for the horses of the dragoon companies and were located behind the enlisted men's barracks. Attached to the stables was a large corral with several troughs, where horses were fed and watered each morning at 0535 (5:35 a.m.). The soldiers on the frontier relied heavily on their horses to patrol and secure the countryside. Companies in a dragoon regiment were distinguished from one another by the color of their

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horses (for example, dragoons in one company rode black horses while those of another rode bays).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 30° 14.912′ N, 98° 50.769′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is on East Main Street. The marker is located within the Fort Martin Scott grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1618 E Main St, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dragoons (a few steps from this marker); Fort Martin Scott Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Peace with the Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zodiac Community (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); The Natural Setting (within shouting distance of this marker); Pinta Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this marker. Fort Martin Scott is a restored United States Army outpost in Fredericksburg, Texas, that was active from 1848 until 1853. It was part of a line of frontier forts established to protect travelers and

The Blacksmith Shop and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

2. The Blacksmith Shop and Marker

settlers within Texas. This marker is somewhat weathered and difficult to read.

Also see . . . From a Former Army Base to Texas Historical Site. Fort Martin Scott Organization

Between 1870 and 1959, the Braeutigam folks bought the former army installation. Johabb Wolfgang Braeutigam had moved from the Kaltenlengsfeld district of Germany, with his folks, and advanced toward Indianola in 1845. He and his significant other chose to settle in Fredericksburg with their 9 youngsters. In 1870, the Braeutigam moved into the former army base, after soldiers deserted it and utilized it as a farm. On 3rd September 1884, Johann Braeutigam was murdered in a theft involving 4 individuals who were after Biergarten’s cash box. The Braeutigam family later sold the property to Fredericksburg City.

Some of the remarkable highlights of the former army base include: the quarters for the post commander which previously acted as the Braeutigam garden, 6 structures of troops’ houses, sutler’s warehouse and store, pastry kitchen with a stove, laundry, emergency military clinic, 3 sets of battalions for enlisted troops, quartermaster’s warehouse, a blacksmith store, and shed-fused stable. The watch house is presently the station’s only surviving structure after it was restored to mirror its underlying design of cut limestone, during the beginning of the 1900s.

(Submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Reconstructed Blacksmith Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

3. Reconstructed Blacksmith Shop

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 252 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.