At the Smith Forge, in operation since 1875, blacksmith Johnny Smith crafted railings for the front stairway that were more in keeping with the style of the house. Smith fired rods of commercial flat iron 3/8 inch thick and one inch wide over a 3,000 degree coke fire for three to four minutes. He then pounded the hot metal against the horn of his anvil until its tip was tapered to a sharp edge. Iron is elastic when hot and Smith easily formed it against a jig in the shape of a scroll. When the metal turned a dark cherry color, it had cooled too much to be worked effectively. Smith returned the iron to the fire. After each firing, Smith continued to bend the metal around a larger jig until it took on the final shape he desired—one of the scrolls that would make up the Flemings' elegant, iron hand rail.

Restoration in a Fine Southern Manor

2nd Floor:
Guest Bedroom | Guest Bath | Bedroom
Laundry | Master Bedroom | Master Bath | Attic