| M ade In S RC |
‘KING TRADES’ of all
Modern blacksmith keeps history alive with fire and forging demonstrations Story and Photos by Steve Stout
30 | Fall 2021 • Starved Rock Country
here was a time in history when blacksmiths — faces, arms and clothes streaked with soot — were some of the most valued workers in communities both large and small. These days, Doug Eichert, a modern smith from Somonauk, is keeping the noble profession alive with iron pounding on weekends through the fall for La Salle County Historical Society visitors in Utica. “I was naturally drawn to fire from an early age,” explains Eichert.
“It didn’t matter if it was a fireplace or bonfires, I always enjoyed tending them. I was also fortunate to watch some blacksmiths and farriers (shoer of horses) demonstrate in my youth, I think these were formative experiences. “I became a goldsmith working with gemstones and precious metal jewelry; you know gold, platinum and silver. There’s an old Indian saying about 100 blows from the goldsmith being equal to just one from the
