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A replica of one of the most important early-day businesses in our community can now be seen as an 18' x 32' mural on the east wall of a historic building in downtown San Angelo. This is the work of Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc., whose mission is to put our history on selected walls in the Historic City Center. The building housing the Concho Confetti Mall is owned by Sue and Louis Gomez.
It is a blacksmith shop mural surrounded with historic registered brands of early West Texas ranches. Funds for the mural came primarily from the 1st West Texas Regional Domino Tournament and ranchers who donated $1000 or more to have their brands, name and ranch name at the top of the mural.
“We are very pleased to be able to create a second mural during our first full year of operation,” according to Jean Ryon, chairman of the board of directors. “The generosity and support of the community allowing us to create history on selected walls are very much appreciated. We believe it indicates an ever-growing interest in the unique history of San Angelo and West Texas as we join others in recording our history through outdoor art, bronzes, and restoration of historic buildings!
“Since San Angelo is celebrating its 100th year as an incorporated city during 2003, it is particularly significant that a mural of a blacksmith shop found here since the late 1800s is available for residents and visitors to view,” Ryon said.
Crystal Goodman, the artist selected for this mural, did extensive research on registered brands and blacksmith shops to assure historic accuracy, including interviewing a number of local blacksmith artisans who can be seen working at the Chicken Farm Art Center in San Angelo.
She also has spoken with Frank Vogel, son of Frank N. Vogel, now 98 years old, who began operating the Vogel Blacksmith Shop in 1929, with his brother, the late Walter Vogel and Bert Morgan whose father opened a Blacksmith shop on Oakes Street. Mr. Morgan grew up on Oakes St. and now resides at Rio Concho Terrace in San Angelo.
The original building washed away in the 1936 flood and was replaced with the present building, still standing at the north end of the Oakes Street Bridge. The shop closed in 1986. It is believed to be the last blacksmith shop operating in San Angelo.
The mural is located near the intersection of S. Oakes and E. Concho.
