Tested by fire, Wendell August will forge on

Historic building 'pretty much a loss'; no one hurt in blaze

For full story, pick up a March 10 edition of Allied News.



Twenty-one fire departments banded together Saturday to put down one of the worst fires in Grove City in years – which has touched countless people in the community, nation and beyond.

“I appreciate everything surrounding firefighters did for us,” said Jeff Badger, Grove City fire chief.

Grove City firefighters got a call around 1:35 p.m. Saturday that Wendell August Forge, an historic business in town on Madison Avenue, was engulfed in flames.

Wendell August makes decorative plates and ornaments out of bronze, pewter, silver, copper and aluminum with hand-carved steel dies.

Its craftsmanship is an American treasure, and its business is one of a kind in the nation.

“This is a great loss to the whole industry,” said Dr. Tom Armour, a retired local physician, whose famous metal-designing father, Arthur Armour, got his start at Wendell August in 1932.

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