Page 24 - All About History - Issue 16-14

Transport

TRAVELLING TO A NEW LIFE ON THE WAGON
TRAIL, NORTH AMERICA, 19TH CENTURY

n the 19th century the USA experienced a

migration the likes of which it had not seen before,
as many of its citizens moved west seeking a
prosperous new life. The wagons carried their
I hopes and dreams across the country. With the
ANIMAL-DRIVEN distances some made into the thousands of miles
and with the wagons often carrying a family’s
worldly possessions, it was vital that they could last
the distance.
The prairie schooner was the wagon of choice.
TRANSPORT This was smaller and lighter than the Conestoga,
which was used for hauling freight and therefore
more suitable for long distances. One wagon was
typically enough for a family of four although it
would be very cramped and supplies would take up
almost the entire space within the wag

Seat
Although not a comfortable position – some
stretches of the trail were so rough that a butter
churn could be filled with fresh milk in the
morning and by the evening formed into a small
lump of butter – the only set of springs was below
the seat. These leaf springs made it possible to sit in
the driver’s seat, if in no way comfortable.

Horse power
It was actually more common for oxen to pull
the wagons, although horses were sometimes
used. The average rate of travel for the wagons
was approximately 3.2km/h (2mph), and the
average distance covered each day was 24-32km
(15-20mi). Riding the wagon was uncomfortable,
and some people preferred to walk alongside it, Bed and tools
or ride a horse next to their wagon. The bed was a rectangular
wooden box, usually 1.2m
(4ft) wide and 3m (10ft)
long. At its front end was a
jockey box to hold tools, as
“ While wagons while wagons were minor
marvels of engineering at
were minor the time, they often broke
down or wore out from the
difficulty and sheer length
miracles of of the journey. Equipment
for making repairs en route
engineering at included extra iron bolts,
linchpins, skeins, nails,
the time, they hoop iron and a jack, kept
in a jockey box.
often broke down”

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