Manitoba Municipal Heritage Site No. 108
Warkentin Blacksmith Shop
2172 PTH 26,
St. Francois Xavier area
Designation Date: February 10, 1994
Designation Authority: St. Francois Xavier (R.M.)
Present Owner: privately owned
The Warkentin Blacksmith Shop is a rare tangible reminder and important example in Manitoba of the kind of small commercial establishments that served rural farming areas before the advent of welding shops and sophisticated farm machinery. Shifted onto a concrete pad beside its original location, the utilitarian shop recalls the simple vernacular building traditions, construction materials and small open-space floor area that characterized this building type. The shop was built by Henry Warkentin, who served the St. Francois Xavier area for over 30 years and was renowned beyond the district for his craftsmanship in repairing farm machinery.
