SPANISH LAKE • A month ago, the last blacksmith shop in St. Louis County appeared headed for demolition.

Now, the 130-year-old-building is being saved, thanks to the developer of a Dollar General store on the site of the shop and the St. Louis County Parks Department.

The wooden building and its massive original brick forge will be dismantled and then reassembled in the Historic Village at Faust County Park in Chesterfield.

The Dollar General developer, Cissell Mueller Cos. of St. Peters, has agreed to donate $15,000 for the cost of moving and reassembling the shop.

The company offered to make the donation amid concerns by historic preservationists and the Spanish Lake Community Association about the loss of the blacksmith shop, at 12227 Bellefontaine Road.

"We contributed that amount to move our project forward and help with the relocation of this historic building," said Bob Cissell, managing member of Cissell Mueller. "We all worked together instead of against each other."

St. Louis County's planning staff and the county's Planning Commission have recommended in favor of the plan, and it is expected to get County Council approval.

While some advocates had wanted the building to stay in Spanish Lake, they said this was the next best outcome.

Esley Hamilton, St. Louis County preservation historian, called the blacksmith shop "a unique reminder of the county's rural heritage." He added: "I think this shows that historic buildings can be saved if organizations work together for a common purpose."

He said the real estate agent, buyer and seller, the Planning Commission and Spanish Lake Community Association all pulled together to preserve the shop.

It was built by German settler Jacob Wilhelm in 1881.

Jim Foley, who is cultural site director of Faust Park, said: "Everyone wants this to happen."

Of the cost to the county, Foley said, "We don't know exactly what it's going to cost, but the $15,000 is close enough for us to move it."

The county will have to hire a mason to reconstruct the forge at the park, Foley said.

Jesse Francis, Faust Park curator, is now making metal tags to mark the pieces of the blacksmith shop so that it can be reassembled at Faust Park.

He led the dismantling and reassembly last year of the old Highlands carousel at Faust so that it could be repaired. A museum technician and carpentry crew also has been lined up.

Faust Park already has a trained blacksmith — Mike Schmidt.

This will be the 13th historic building that has been relocated and reconstructed at Faust. The one-room Alt school house was dedicated in September. Faust Park, at 15185 Olive Boulevard, also is home to Thornhill, the home of Gov. Frederick Bates, Missouri's second governor, and the Sophia Sachs Butterfly House and the Webster Community Music School.

The Faust Folk and Fine Arts Festival will be Sept. 24-25.