Built in the mid 1850s by John Fippin and John Single. Fippin married Single's daughter, Julia, in 1867, and they raised 10 children. Local legend has it that one of Lotta Crabtree's earliest performances was atop the anvil here. The building today is a combination of the original blacksmith shop and Single's carpenter shop. W. H. (Bill) Fippin and Frank A. Fippin followed their father as smiths and ran the business well into the 20th Century. Members of the Fippin and Single families have served Rough and Ready for generations as county officials, school trustees and postmasters.

Dedicated May 3, 2003 By
Wm. Bull Meek - Wm. Morris Stewart
Chapter No. 10, E Clampus Vitus
Nevada City, California