Random Article Summary #51

The Conestoga wagon was a heavy covered wagon that was commonly used in the late 18th and 19th centuries in the eastern United States and Canada. It could carry up to 6 tons and was pulled by horses, mules, or oxen. The wagon was specifically designed to prevent its contents from moving and to make crossing rivers easier, although it sometimes leaked if not caulked properly. Although they were not suitable for the prairies, Conestoga wagons were widely used in the westward expansion of the United States, with most covered wagons used during this period being modified farm wagons with canvas covers. The Conestoga wagon was first mentioned in 1717 in Pennsylvania and is believed to have been brought over by German settlers. It was popular for migration and commerce, being used to transport goods over the Appalachian Mountains until the development of the railroad. In Canada, it was used by Pennsylvania German migrants settling in various communities. The Conestoga wagon was designed with a curved floor to prevent items from tipping and shifting. It was large and could hold up to 12,000 pounds of cargo. The wagon was made of wood with iron-rimmed wheels and a canvas cover for protection. It had water barrels, toolboxes, and a feed box, and the teamster could either walk beside the wagon or stand on a pull-out board to access the brake handle. The wagon also started the tradition of driving on the right-hand side of the road. The Conestoga horse was developed to pull heavy freight wagons in Lancaster County. The lineage of the Conestoga is not clear, but they were bred by necessity. Samuel Gist, a prominent landowner, contributed to the breeding of the Conestoga. The breed eventually fell out of use due to modern inventions and innovations.