Blacksmithing on the Frontier – Demonstrations at the Frontier Muster & Trade Faire – Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

It’s almost time for our annual Spring Muster and Trade Faire, April 18 and 19, at the Blockhouse, Natural Tunnel State Park. Bring the family and come on out.

Blacksmithing was an essential skill on the frontier. Every nail was made by hand. Every horse had to be shod. Every hinge, tool, and knife blade was produced at the forge. Come out and meet our expert blacksmith, Mark Ramsey, and watch him work. He’ll be glad to answer your questions and explain what he is doing.

About the book: The Blockhouse On The Holston

The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association has published a history of the Blockhouse that was built in 1775 on the North Fork of the Holston by John Anderson. His fortified home became a landmark along the road west, the Wilderness Road, marked by Daniel Boone that same year. Over the next thirty years, some 300,000 people passed Anderson’s home on their journey through Cumberland Gap and on into what would become the state of Kentucky, and further westward.

William L. Anderson, a direct descendant of John, has written a well-researched book that tells the story, the history of the home that became known to posterity as “The Blockhouse,” and its part in the expansion westward of our new nation. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association is proud to offer this book that tells, for the first time in such detail, the very significant part played in our nation’s history by the pioneer settlers of the western frontier during the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

Also included in the book are many brief biographies of significant players in the story, maps, an article on Fort Blackmore, and the diary of early explorer Dr. Thomas Walker.

The book may be purchased for $19.95 at Natural Tunnel State Park at the Visitor’s Center and at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretive Center (276-940-2674) and at the law offices of Lisa Ann McConnell in Duffield. Or contact Robert E. McConnell at roberte@mounet.com or 276-452-4520

About the book: The Blockhouse On The Holston