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---- The covered wagon was invented in 1749, the same year that the Conestoga wagon was invented. ---- The covered wagon that became such an important part of this country's westward movement was actually invented in Pennsylvania. Near Lancaster, PA, is the Conestoga Valley, from where the wagon got its name. The Pennsylvania German wagon builders invented this unique wagon to fit the surrounding landscape around 1730. It is said that by 1750 there were seven thousand of these wagons in use. ---- These wagons were built mostly for transporting goods over long distances, for example, shipping goods for sale from Lancaster to Philadelphia. The wagon had a long bed, about 16 feet long, that had a very recognizable sloping bottom, lowest in the middle. It was sloped this way to keep goods from shifting and sliding as it went up and down hills. This feature also made the wagon float just a little when it forded rivers. The capacity of these wagons was as much as 3,500 pounds, and six or eight rods were placed over top for a white cloth to be stretched over to protect the goods from the weather. ---- The wheels were five or six feet high, and four inches wide to keep it from sinking in the mud. The wagons were usually brightly painted, blue on the body and red on the wheels. ---- The Conestoga wagon (invented in 1749) was used also for military purposes as Generals Braddock and Forbes led troops westward, and then later they were used as settlers moved all their worldly possessions across the plains to the new lands. The purposeful and useful design of these wagons made them an extremely important invention.

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15y ago
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10y ago

Covered wagons were used by pioneers in the 1800s moving west to settle new land. A covered wagon provided a place for people to sleep on the road as well as a way to carry a lot of possessions to the new homestead.

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10y ago

The covered wagon was invented in Conestoga Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 171. It was invented by Mennonite German settlers.

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12y ago

3000bc

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Q: When were covered wagons first used?
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Related questions

What was the name of the covered wagons that many people used for travel?

conestoga wagons


First covered wagon to rockies?

The first migrant train of wagons was put together in 1836. It took most covered wagons about 200 days to cross the Rocky Mountains.


How are covered wagons helpful?

Covered wagons were the first SUV's. They moved both people and things. They made Americans mobile. The concept of Manifest destiny and the great migration to the west coast were possible because of these wagons.


How did pioneers navigate on the prairie?

The library is a good place to look for books about pioneers. By the way, pioneers traveled in wagons. They used Conestoga Wagons, or- a little bit more specifically- covered wagons. The y also used farm wagons.


Why were the covered wagons important you the westward expantion?

The Covered Wagons were made so the pioneers would not have to walk, and carry their belonging on their back. Some types of wagons are the Farm Imigrant Wagons, and the Conestoga Wagons. Also to get west.


What are somethings that pionerrs used move around?

horses, stagecoaches, covered wagons


Why were covered wagons called schooner wagons?

Because the tops of the wagons reminded people of ships at sea.


What were the wagons called that the pioneers followed into Oregon country?

They were called Covered Wagons.


Large canvas-covered wagons that were predecessors to trucks were called?

Conestoga wagons


What was the name of the covered wagons that many people use for travel?

conestoga wagons


Large canvas-covered wagons that were predecessors to trucks were called .?

Conestoga wagons


What was the name of the sturdy vehicle used to transport west bound pioneers and their possessions?

Covered wagons