History

The Anvil Restaurant was originally constructed as a blacksmith shop in the early 1840's by Alexander Burke. The building is situated on the outer walls of old Fort Edward, which was constructed in 1755 and served as a major outpost during the French and Indian war, (a historical marker locating our location in relation to the fort can be seen under our maple tree in front of the building).

The blacksmith shop was operated by Burke in the growing community around the old fort. The area, already rich in history, (as evidenced by the graves of Jane McCrea and Duncan Campbell), was becoming increasingly industrial, having direct access to the Hudson River and Champlain Canal. Burke's shop flourished.

In 1880 he sold the building and business to Sam D. Turner, who continued the operation. It is his name that appears on the front of the building as it did when he ran the business. According to local legend and numerous eyewitness accounts, Mr. Turner's ghost still inhabits the Anvil.

The lounge area originally contained four forges, three along the south wall, and one where the door to the main dining room is. The bricks from these forges were used in the construction of the broiler put and bar.

The upstairs of the building was at one time used as a paint shop for wagons, carriages, and sleighs; (carriages were conveyed up a ramp, which stretched along the south side of the building, across the front, and through the double doors, which are still in use today). Some of the upstairs walls are decorated with practice drawings, which were then transferred to the wagons.

In 1919 the ramp was removed and an addition was constructed, which houses the present kitchen area. At this time an elevator was installed in the addition, (the elevator was moved to the lounge area during renovations, this is the large wheel and shaft). All pottery, bottles, and other artifacts are original and come from the Fort Edward area. The large chain hanging over the bar was used on the log booms on the Hudson River.
The bar top was fashioned from one large tree cut in the Warrensburg area.

The large stone in the courtyard was used to hold wagon wheels while the newly forged, seamless metal rim was installed.

The kitchen door contains several small soldier figurines hand made by Turner for his grandchildren. The strap on the kitchen door was used by the children to open the heavy door. There are also small hand made tags on it that identify wagon makers and blacksmiths from around the northeast.

The present dining room was first used to store livery wagons, carriages and sleighs. It was then used by Turner's son's in law as a garage for the repair of autos and trucks. It also housed the first filling station in the village with 55-gallon drums and a hand crank pump. 

In 1973 the building was purchased by Dave McDougall and restoration began. All restoration was accomplished by the McDougall’s and their friends here in Fort Edward. The restaurant opened in 1975, with the dining room opening in 1976. In 1986 The Anvil was purchased by the Orsini family and has been serving the Fort Edward area since.

Further information about Fort Edward and its history can be obtained from the Old Fort House Museum, located on Rt. 4 south, or the Rogers Island Visitors Center on Rogers Island, both a short distance from the restaurant.