---- 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.
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.
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.
Because the tops of the wagons reminded people of ships at sea.
Covered wagons
Another name for covered wagons is a prairie schooner.
conestoga wagons
The first migrant train of wagons was put together in 1836. It took most covered wagons about 200 days to cross the Rocky Mountains.
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.
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.
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.
horses, stagecoaches, covered wagons
Because the tops of the wagons reminded people of ships at sea.
They were called Covered Wagons.
Conestoga wagons
conestoga wagons
Conestoga wagons
Covered wagons