Blacksmith expert reveals how blacksmiths made gold mining possible in Arizona

Blacksmiths had an important role serving as major partners to miners. Blacksmithing is an integral part of the Arizona Gold Mining Experience (AZGME) at Cave Creek Museum.

“Blacksmiths were essential to the Gold Rush,” says blacksmith Paul Diefenderfer, owner of Desert Rat Forge. “Their ability to shape and repair metal goods provided a steady stream of work. Blacksmiths repaired mining tools, mended wagons and made other goods. However, most importantly, blacksmiths during the gold mining era were vital to the repointing (hardening and shaping) of chisels.

“One the chisel was sharpened and reshaped, it was tested against the side of an anvil. If it left a scratch, it was ready for use,“ adds Diefenderfer.

The expert blacksmith is part of the museum’s dream team and demonstrates blacksmithing for visitors and guests at AZGME, blacksmithing grew in popularity once iron was discovered because of its durability and wear resistance.

“Blacksmithing is defined as working hot iron,” says Diefenderfer, lead AZGME blacksmith and owner of Desert Rat forge in Cave Creek, Ariz. “Iron turns black after being heated in a hot fire; this is known as oxide or fire scale.

Blacksmiths in the 1800s, and even today, used wood and coal for fires.”
The craft, which is believed to have started in Europe, was deployed in mining by using a hammer to repoint drill bits and repair chisels, picks and more so they were ready for use. Blacksmiths also created crucial new products and made horseshoes and more for miners.

Today, modern civilization is defined by the use of more modern materials including concrete and iron for infrastructure needs.

“A lot of modern phrases came from blacksmithing,” adds Diefenderfer. “You have too many irons in the fire (you have too much going on) was one of them. So is hit it while it’s hot (you have to work it hot to get it done right) and dead as a doornail, which means it is a dead nail – it’s no longer usable.”

Visitors and members can experience the excitement of blacksmithing and days long past during the Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, April 27, 2024 full demonstration of the Arizona Gold Mining Experience at the museum from 9-11:15 AM.

The excitement builds with the operation of the amazing Golden Reef Stamp Mill and Tramway, Arizona’s only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill. The 10, 1,000-lb. stamps slam down in synchronized motion to pound ore removed from the mine into fine gravel. The stamp mill was brought from its former location at the Golden Reef Mine on Continental Mountain to Cave Creek Museum, which has the only fully operational mining stamp mill in its original mining district in Arizona; it is located just five miles from its site on the mountain. The giant stamp mill also is connected to a working tramway and ore carts that carry the ore to be pulverized to the stamp mill.

The experience continues as guests peer into a mineshaft to show the blasting techniques used by hard rock miners. Next, onto the blacksmith shop for a demonstration of the many skills used when parts and tools had to be fabricated onsite.

Guests then are encouraged to try their luck at the gold panning station, where museum volunteers show visitors how to pan for ore and minerals just like the prospectors did. Admission is $15 for adults and children under 12 are free. Reservations are required. For those who want the thrill of the full Gold Fever package, pay for the AZGME and add $145 for the three-hour gold mine tour on April 13.

By doing so, you support the entire gold mining experience and Cave Creek Museum. Reserve tickets online at cavecreekmuseum.org as there is a limit.
The 53-year-old museum’s mission is to preserve the artifacts of the prehistory, history, culture and legacy of the Cave Creek Mining District and the Cave Creek/Carefree foothills area through education, research and interpretive exhibits.

Cave Creek Museum is located at 6140 E. Skyline Drive in Cave Creek, Ariz. Open October through May. The museum can be reached at 480.488.2764 or cavecreekmuseum.org. Where History Comes Alive.