Rose Blacksmith Shop

The Rose Blacksmith Shop, formerly at 404 Robert Parker Coffin Road.

A modern, “mansard roofed” building now occupies the corner that was once the site of two historic buildings – the Rose Blacksmith shop, and the Bollenbach home. So a bit of imagination is required here. 

Long Grove’s first “smithy” was Daniel Strunk Rose. Daniel was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Long Grove with his mother and father (who was also a blacksmith) around 1847.

In the late 1850’s, Daniel took on a young teenage apprentice, Charles Bollenbach, who had recently emigrated from Alsace. Charles lived with the Roses and eventually became a formal partner, later opening his own shop next door.

Charles, who was a bachelor, took some time off to fight in the Civil War. Charles’ brother, who was drafted and had a wife and young children, paid Charles to take his place in the war. Daniel Rose died in 1870.

We’ll cover the Bollenbach home later in the tour. 

The next stop is building #44, which is next door as you walk in the direction of the Village Tavern.