Wagons of the Frontier

The Covered Wagon was the common form of overland transportation in the Old West.  It comprised of an undercarriage with front and back wheels made of wood with iron rims.  Long curved wooden pieces called bows were connected to the sides of the wagon so that a heavy canvas could be put into place. The canvas was treated with linseed oil to ensure its water-resistant quality.

The animals used to pull the Covered Wagon varied.  A settler could use a team of oxen, mules or horses.  Oxen traveled at a slower pace while mules possessed greater endurance than horses.  The benefit of using a team of oxen was their stamina and they grazed off the land.  Mules and horses traveled faster, but grain was required as a supplement to their grazing diet.

Other Wagons of the Frontier

There were a variety of other wagon types the people of the Old West used.

Buckboards and Buggies:  These types of wagons were offered in a variety of styles and types.  The wagons were typically lightweight.  Some were as simple as two-wheeled carts while others were fancier surreys with coverings.  (Remember in the musical Oklahoma and the song, "...the surrey with the fringe on the top?")

Celerity Wagons:  These wagons were lighter weight stagecoaches.  They had canvas roller flaps that covered the windows.  The canvas covers could easily be rolled back so passengers could view the scenery during travel.

Chuck Wagon:  The chuck wagon is a familiar "prop" in movies and stories.  Chuck wagons were used on cattle trails and on ranches after 1866.  The chuck wagon was used to hall water, tools, and the important utensils the cook used to cook.  The Studebaker Company eventually began to build chuck wagons and charged from $75 to $100 per wagon.

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