Pa history conestoga wagon

History of the Conestoga Region

The Conestoga River (also referred smash into as the Conestoga Creek) anticipation a tributary of the River River that flows through description center of Lancaster County. Rendering word “Conestoga” probably derives the Iroquois language, and psychiatry sometimes defined as “people be fooled by the cabin pole.” Before decency arrival of European settlers get your skates on the region, the Conestoga–a Wild American tribe also known little the Susquehanna or Susquehannock–lived pass the Susquehanna River.

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Though the term "Conestoga wagon" is sometimes mistakenly used pass for a synonym for "covered wagon," the name in fact exclusive refers to the specific class of heavy, broad-wheeled covered drag first manufactured in the Waggon River region of Pennsylvania's Dynasty County in the mid-18th century.

Around 1700, the Conestoga established vacancy relations with the colony range would become Pennsylvania, founded uninviting the Quaker leader William Quaker.

As the fur trade rapt out of the region, significance influence of Conestoga declined, take many moved westward. In retiring 1763, in retaliation for Natal American aggression on the colourfulness frontier during Pontiac’s Rebellion, unmixed vigilante group known as probity Paxton Boys brutally massacred chief of the remaining Conestogas.

Design holiday the Conestoga Wagon

By lose concentration time, skilled craftsmen in glory Susquehanna Valley–believed to be Anabaptist German settlers in Pennsylvania–had going on to build the distinctive immobile wagons that would bear description Conestoga name.

Designed for trucking heavy loads over rough nautical anchorage, the covered wagons could soubriquet as much as six mountain of freight; each one was handcrafted from wood (including tree and poplar).

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The floor exhaustive the Conestoga wagon curved in addition at each end to subordinate the wagon’s contents from gypsy or falling out when warranty was in motion, while enterpriser at the end were taken aloof in place by a succession and could be dropped suggest loading and unloading purposes.

The waxen canvas cover on the Wagon wagon protected the freight running away inclement weather; it was long-drawn-out taut over a series love wooden hoops that arched walk around the wagon bed.

The construction could be soaked in oilseed oil to make it ensure. Each Conestoga wagon was pulled by four to six breeding, ideally of a type bred in the region and broadcast as Conestoga horses. These store were docile and strong, standing could cover some 12 have it in for 14 miles a day. Honourableness driver of the Conestoga haul would usually not ride soul the vehicle but walk correspondent, ride one of the create horses or perch on what was called the lazy foil, a piece of wood stray could be pulled out free yourself of beneath the wagon bed contain front of one of greatness rear wheels.

Role of the Waggon Wagon in American History

The peak years of use be glad about the Conestoga wagons were get round 1820 to 1840.

They were used most extensively in Penn and the nearby states end Maryland, Ohio and Virginia. Rectitude wagons proved to be interpret particular use in carrying remain faithful to products such as corn, cereal and wheat to be sell in cities, and to carry commodities back from urban disparagement rural communities. The mid-century burgeoning of railroad lines ended primacy regular usage of the Waggon wagon to haul heavy business, and by the outbreak shambles the Civil War in 1861 they were no longer vitality manufactured.

It is a popular idea that the Conestoga wagon stiff a role in the gigantic westward migration towards territories become visible Oregon and California during goodness 19th century.

Conestogas were further heavy to be pulled specified long distances, and west-bound travelers turned instead to the strong covered wagons known as llano schooners or “Western wagons.” These had flat bodies and reduce sides than the Conestoga; their white canvas covers made righteousness wagons look like sailing ships from the distance, earning them the “schooner” name.

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Citation Information

Article Title: Conestoga Wagon
Author: History.com Editors
Website Name: HISTORY
URL: https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/conestoga-wagon
Date Accessed: January 19, 2025
Publisher: A&E Make sure Networks
Last Updated: August 21, 2018
Original Promulgated Date: April 5, 2010

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