Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Title |
John Putz's Blacksmith Shop |
Date |
1900s |
Description |
John Putz's Blacksmith 115 J Street Rock Springs, Wyoming Black and white photo of John Putz's Blacksmith shop with five men shown working inside the shop According to Helen Putz Chadey her father’s Blacksmith Shop was located at 115 J Street. Mr. John Putz was the original owner of the shop, having purchased the building from Parker Wholesale. He was a Slovenian immigrant and a blacksmith by trade. He worked at two different shops in Rock Springs before purchasing his own in the late 1920’s. Mr. Putz employed another Slovenian immigrant, Frank Usenichinik, Joe Chenchar, and a Mr. Dolenc from Superior. During the 1950’s, his son, Paul, also worked there. When the blacksmith building was demolished in the 1970’s, the doors of the shop were given to the Varley family for use at the Point of Rocks Café and Saloon. The Varleys later renovated their building, and the doors were returned to Rock Springs and donated by Mrs. Chadey to the Rock Springs Historical Museum. These doors were an historical record of the ranching community, as Mr. Putz made brands for many local ranchers. He tested those brands on the door, and they remain a piece of local ranching history, available for viewing at the museum. |
Place |
115 J Street Rock Springs, Wyoming |
Medium |
Black and White Photograph |
People |
Chenchar, Joe Putz, John Chadey, Helen Chadey, Henry F. |
Subjects |
John Putz's Blacksmith Shop |
Classification |
Black and white photo |
Search Terms |
John Putz's Blacksmith Shop John Putz Joe Chenchar Broadway |
Catalog Number |
2019.050.0058 |
Collection |
Chadey Collection |
Copyright |
Photo Credit: Rock Springs Historical Museum, Rock Springs, Wyoming |