Last updated: April 30, 2022
Place
Magnolia Blacksmith Shop
NPS/Annabel Jones
Quick Facts
Location:
Derry, Louisiana
Amenities
2 listed
Benches/Seating, Fire Extinguisher
The Blacksmith Shop is one of the few examples remaining on Cane River with exterior walls made of bousillage (boo-zee-aj), a mixture of mud, and Spanish moss or straw. If you look carefully, you can find finger mark indentations left by the people who smoothed the bousillage mixture into place. Built in the mid-1800s, it consists of architectural features that were evident during Colonial Louisiana. Such features include a post-in-sill wood frame, bousillage walls, and a wraparound porch roof; these types of roofs helped protect the walls and provided shade.
On any plantation the blacksmith, as well as the carpenter, played essential roles as the plantation was being established. The blacksmith created hand-wrought nails, shod horses, and made tools and implements to be used on the plantation. Even well into the 20th century the blacksmith played an important role at Magnolia. As cotton prices declined, the Hertzog’s increased their cattle production. Brand marks are imprinted on the inside of the door, possibly to advertise the Blacksmith’s skill or maybe to test the accuracy of the brander or branding iron.
On any plantation the blacksmith, as well as the carpenter, played essential roles as the plantation was being established. The blacksmith created hand-wrought nails, shod horses, and made tools and implements to be used on the plantation. Even well into the 20th century the blacksmith played an important role at Magnolia. As cotton prices declined, the Hertzog’s increased their cattle production. Brand marks are imprinted on the inside of the door, possibly to advertise the Blacksmith’s skill or maybe to test the accuracy of the brander or branding iron.