Palisade Public Library Collection ➔ Photo of the Olaf Nelson Blacksmith Shop
Photograph -- Black-and-White Photograph
Identifier:
1979.23.94Description
Snapshot photograph of the interior of the Olaf Nelson blacksmith shop located near the corner of 3rd Street and Kluge Avenue in Palisade, CO, near where the post office is now. Four men are visible in the frame, all working. Two men closest to the camera have been identified as Olaf Nelson (left) who first came to Palisade about 1894 and Gus Hildebrand (right). The two men working in the back of the shop have not been identified. Horseshoes hang from the ceiling, workbenches and storage units line the right wall, and a forge is located in the back of the shop. The photo was taken circa 1915.Attached to the bottom of the front of the photo is a piece of paper with the following typewritten caption: "(Taken About 1915) OLD BLACKSMITH SHOP (Corner of 3rd & Kluge) / (Post Office Address) / Man in center- Olof [Olaf] Nelson, came to Palisade about 1894 / Man to right - Gus Hilldebrand [Hildebrand] - others in picture unknown". Written on the back of the photo in pencil is the caption, "Olof [Olaf] Nelson Blacksmith Shop in Palisade Colo.". Written below that in blue ink is the message, "donated by / Svea Nelson Peugh - Fresno, Calif. / Eileene Nelson Leaf - Grand Jct / April 3, 1975".