The Conestoga Wagon is probably best remembered for its role in bringing the pioneers west across the Oregon and Santa Fe trails. In actuality, the Conestoga was rarely used on the oregon trail, its smaller cousin, the Prairie Schooner being the transportation of choice for the tens of thousands of hardy pioneers in the mid to late 1800's.
The Conestoga was more widely used on the Santa Fe Trail, but its main purpose was to move heavy goods on the east coast. The wagon was massive for its day, somewhat akin to the tractor trailors of today. Its huge rear wheels stood as tall as a man, and it could easily carry up to 6000 lbs of goods. It was built mostly of hickory and drawn by a team of 4 to 6 Conestoga horses specially bred for pulling the heavy loads. The term "Stogy" came from the Conestoga's wagonmaster's who preferred to smoke the large cigars as they drove their teams. The custom of driving on the right was born from the Conestoga, simply because the wagon had no front seats like other wagons, and the wagoneer would ride the lazy seat, a pull out board, located between the front and rear wheels on the left side of the wagon thereby forcing others to pass on the left.
Conestoga Wagons Ideally Suited To Task-By JOHN HOWER
Visit this in depth Link:
Indepth History of the Conestoga Wagon- By Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
(Left).. A Conestoga and (Right)..its smaller cousin the Prairie schooner.
Note more bows, bowed top and greater length on the Conestoga while
the Prairie Schooner is shorter, square framed, flat toped and sports a
buckboard seat not found on a Conestoga.
