Pioneer Farms
Dawson Corn Crib (Blacksmith Shop) - 1851
This double-bay log building, with a "dog trot" breezeway at its center, was built as a corn crib around 1851 by Noah Dawson, a farmer. It was used for that purpose most of its life, storing corn for livestock feed.
Constructed of rough-hewn cedar logs that were saddle- and V-notched, a common building style of the day, the building also features a "witch's hat" roof - with a ridge pole and notched rafters.
It was moved to Pioneer Farms in the early 1980s and restored for use as a blacksmith shop. In 1800s Texas, a blacksmith on the premises was the sign of a successful farm. A forge with coal and fire, anvil and hammers, sharpening stone and water bucket were the major tools of the blacksmith. He would spend most of his time shoeing horses and repairing equipment.
To the right side of the shop is a small pen where horses would have been held for horseshoeing. In the back, a variety of discarded and scrap metal items were stored for use by the smithy in making and repairing plows and other implements.
Sources: Austin History Center, Pioneer Farms Archives.