BALLY BLACKSMITH & Metal SHOP

2026 Summer Hours

We recently made an exciting announcement about summer hours for the 2026 season, and we are looking for help getting the shop ready for visitors!

Bally Blacksmith Shop was built in 1911 and housed three generations of the Bally family blacksmiths, totaling 98 years of Bally blacksmiths. The metal Forest Service building behind the shop was added to the site in the 1960s. The Bally shop has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. The Cook County Historical Society acquired the building in 2013.

Bally Blacksmith Stories Video

1927 Fordson Tractor Video

Bally Blacksmith Shop is grateful for support by the following grantors:

Programs at this site are made possible by a grant from Visit Cook County, and staffed by a dedicated group of volunteer metalworkers. Experienced and aspiring smithies are encouraged to join our team! For more information, please contact catherine@cookcountyhistory.org.

Help support the Bally Blacksmith Shop - All donations are welcomed in any amount!
Click Here To Give to Our Historic Buildings.
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Visit the Bally Blacksmith Shop