Sanders Blacksmith Shop in Del Valle, Texas explored.

Sanders Blacksmith Shop aka A.L. Sanders Store was a blacksmith shop which operated in the Moore's Crossing community of Del Valle and Austin. Mr. A.L. Sanders and Mrs. A.L. Sanders owned and operated Sanders Blacksmith Shop aka A.L. Sanders Store. (Ref: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/8bd4eb28-fafe-4ed8-8c5a-c0b07e883c88)

Little additional information is known about Sanders Blacksmith Shop aka A.L. Sanders Store but it operated on the northwest side of Onion Creek during the late 19th century until flooding forced the blacksmith shop to relocate in the early 20th century. (Lewis Publishing Company, Pages, 319-322, 1893)

Often a blacksmith shop, such as at Moore's Crossing, was near the store, since this feature was important to the successful operation of nearby tenant farms. Communities such as Moore's Crossing, Elroy and possibly Garfield, had blacksmith shops for the purpose of supporting tenant farming. (Ref: Texas Applied Economics Club, 1916)

In 1913, Sanders Blacksmith Shop at Moore's Crossing caught fire and spread to engulf the blacksmith shop, destroying everything the family owned. J.B. Moore rebuilt and rehabilitated the store after the fire. The Sanders family continued to live there. (Ref: "Mrs. A.L. Sanders Recalls Mooresville Community During the Early 20th Century and During Her Early Years of Marriage.", Mrs. A.L. Sanders, Austin History Center)

The proprietor was often a family member who lived in a house on the store property. Additional services depended on local needs. Blacksmiths were essential to any farming community that used mules to plow and horses to pull wagons and buggies. Although automobiles and trucks were coming into more common usage, area farmers continued to use mule and horse power to pull plows, wagons and buggies until the 1940s. Thus, blacksmith services were still required and a second blacksmith shop was built northeast of the store closer to Onion Creek. The blacksmith shop was locally important for supporting agricultural activities. (Ref: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/8bd4eb28-fafe-4ed8-8c5a-c0b07e883c88)

Initial investigation implicated the Moore's Crossing blacksmith, John Sternadl who discovered the bodies, in the murder. A black transient was also accused of the crime, a charge that escalated to vigilantism in the community. News of the murder filled local and national newspapers but ultimately no one was convicted of the crime. The murder that horrified the small community has never been solved and remains one of the most notable events associated with Moore's Crossing. (US Bureau of the Census, 1920)

The Sanders family continued to live there until 1923 when the moved to South Congress Avenue in South Austin. (Ref: "Mrs. A.L. Sanders Recalls Mooresville Community During the Early 20th Century and During Her Early Years of Marriage.", Mrs. A.L. Sanders, Austin History Center)

Sanders Blacksmith Shop was located somewhere near 10400 Moores Bridge Road, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.