Weldery sign in building in downtown Canoe, AL
Sometimes old landmarks from the past leave an impression. Among the various images of places and things I remember from the Canoe of my childhood was the sign on the old block building at the caution light which read "Weldery."
In an earlier time the building had been Stallworth's Hardware, and to another generation of Canoe residents the old sign "Guns and Coffins" on the front of the building served as a sign that you were in old Canoe. John Conn had an office there as did Mr. Barnett in a later period in time.
Recently the good folks at Mills Fence moved into the old building and breathed new life into the structure. It's good to see downtown Canoe moving with activity and the hustle and bustle of commerce.
Joann at the fence company allowed me to get a picture of the Weldery sign from inside. This sign was probably a predecessor of the sign from my childhood.
I asked several locals about the old Weldery and its operator and got some interesting info, worthy of sharing in these pages.
Henry McKinley remembered that Mr. Chilton ran the facility. Mr. Chilton told him that his father had been a master welder in a tank factory in Germany during WWII and Chilton was his apprentice.
Jim Hall commented via Facebook that "He remembered it well. Mr. Chilton was helped by his employee Mr. Dawe. The building was immediately adjacent to the little building in which Mr. Bradley had his blacksmith shop some years earlier."
According to Floyd Seale, a Mr. Russell Brasswell worked for Mr. Conn in the shop as well and he lives in Martinville today.
Wily Farrar added that "Mr. John Conn had something to do with Mr. Chilton coming down from up North. He was also a machinist, mechanic, welder, etc. He was a well liked man. He could do anything."
"Not only could he build anything, but he was such a loving caregiver to his wife. She had a stroke and lost the ability to speak. He was so gentle and caring to her. It was uplifting to watch," commented Jason Cox.
The building was also near the site of Sam Bradley's old blacksmith shop. "I believe he (Sam Bradley), my great grandfather, worked the shop in the late 1800s to early 1900s," noted Tim Chavers of Canoe. "I remember the blacksmith shop being behind the old ice house," added Wily Farrar.
A recent US Labor Department study showed a strong need in the US for machine shops and welders. Community shops like Mr. Chilton's and Sam Bradley's blacksmith shop kept Canoe folks welded together in friendship and civility in a slower, happier time in our area's history.
Available now: The Butler Street Chronicles; Selected histories of the communities surrounding Butler Street and will include information on settlers at Steadham, Pond Fork, Sizemore, Sardine, Butler Street, Hollinger and other communities along this route. Pick up your copy for $15. Copies can be purchased from the author or at Amazon.com or Lulu.com.
Vote for and support the Canoe Landmark District referendum on the 2020 ballot. Call for more details.
Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama.
