Then and Now
Benoit's Blacksmith Shop

1910 (Approximate) This is a photograph of one of East Brookfield’s icons. This was Benoit’s Blacksmith Shop. The young boy standing in the foreground is Ernest (Pet) Benoit who later became the proprietor. Pet’s father, Ernest Sr. is also in the photo shoeing a horse. This shop was later replaced by a stone structure that is situated today on the east side of Cottage Street between the bridges. Like all Blacksmith Shops, Benoit’s was an important asset to our little community as it served as our local repair shop for farmers, businesses and residents, keeping our horses in shoes, our machinery and tools operating and the endless supply of children’s bicycles functioning. Unlike many communities, this shop continued operation into the early 80’s. Shortly after the shop closed the building was converted to a private residence.

It appears Pet is enjoying having his picture taken by William Bullard.
(from the collection of William Bullard, courtesy of Dennis LeBeau)

November 2008 This was the shop that was built after the wood structure burned to the ground. The business continued operation into the early 80's. Shortly after the shop closed the building was converted to a private residence as shown in this photo.
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