Historically, the blacksmith shop stood southeast of the barn. It can be seen in a single aerial photo, but there is no other physical documentation of its appearance. Based on Rex Bell, Jr.’s narrative description of the blacksmith shop, and to house his collection of tools used in the original shop, a new building would be constructed. Because of the lack of documentation, it would not be located in the center of the ranch where it appears to have been historically, but instead would be located along the edge of the corral, south of the barn.

The reconstructed blacksmith shop would serve two functions: as an outbuilding to display and interpret the blacksmith’s craft, and as a backdrop for the small amphitheater in the corral. The new building would be constructed of materials similar to the barn: wood structure, sheet metal roof, and board and batten siding. It would be approximately 12 x 16 feet in size, with a covered porch on both the east and west sides. Large doors on the east side would open up the shop, and the porch would provide an area for demonstrations. Similar doors on the east side would enclose a storage room for AV equipment and, when open, a large pull-down screen for videos and films. The porch on this side would be raised to serve as an informal stage.

A variant to this project element would be to interpret but not reconstruct. An open pavilion would be constructed at the historic location of the original blacksmith shop which would serve as interpretive space focusing on ranch activities.