Jackson Blacksmith Shop
Also known as: DHR File No. 37-163
Why it's listed
Built in 1932 about one mile south of Sandy Hook on U.S. Route 522, this small blacksmith shop in Goochland County measures 16 by 24 feet. Its walls are vertical boards attached to pole beams set in an earthen floor, with a galvanized metal roof. The family cut the lumber at a nearby sawmill, chose materials that were cheap and quick to use, and never built a chimney. Inside are a forge made of local rock, a hand-powered blower bought in 1915, and an anvil and hammer more than 130 years old. George W. Jackson, Jr. built and worked the shop until the early 1970s, following his father and grandfather. His grandfather Henry Jackson learned the trade as a slave and opened a shop nearby in 1880. The shop is listed as the last surviving blacksmith shop of its kind in the county and region, and as a record of African-American craft and local industry. The roof and side boards were replaced in 1995.
Significance in brief: The shop is argued to be significant under Criterion A as the last surviving blacksmith shop of the many once found in Goochland County and the region. It also illustrates three generations of an African-American family practicing the trade, beginning with Henry Jackson, who learned it in slavery. It represents a practical, locally sourced method of construction.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97001511, listed December 11, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2558 Blacksmith Shop Rd., Goochland |
|---|---|
| County | Goochland County |
| Listed | December 11, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001511 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1932-1947 |
| Architect / builder | G. Wilson Jackson, Sr. |
| Architectural style | Other |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Black |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function listed as vacant/not in use, though the text describes the shop being reopened in 1995 for tours, displays and demonstrations; roof and side boards were replaced in 1995. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 37.74501, -77.90462 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97001511.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712614
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.