Wagon Wheels: Go West!

The Wagon, as an artifact, was a significant vehicle in its day to transport settlers west toward new hope and new beginnings. When writing and telling stories of the old west, why not place the listeners right in those wagons, eating the food from the wagon train's cook, and repairing one of the wheels when it busts. Here's a few resources to help us all out! Oh, before we get started, we need to get in the talking of the time. Here's a few sayings to help us out:

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"What's the weather like here sir?"
"Well, it's like this: you lay your double barrel shotgun against this here barbed wire fence for 5 minutes and then go check it. One barrel will be filled with dust and the other with water."

"Why, I feel lower than  a snake's belly in a wagon rut."

Conestoga Wagon

Prairie Schooner Covered Wagon

Though the term "Conestoga wagon" is sometimes mistakenly used as a synonym for "covered wagon," the name in fact only refers to the specific type of heavy, broad-wheeled covered wagon first manufactured in the Conestoga River region of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County in the mid-18th century.  - www.history.com/topics/conestoga-wagon

Wagon Resources

1. History.com has accurate and very interesting information for us to grasp - many misconceptions are cleared up here!

2. Chuck Wagon History and Cooking - This website is fun to read and utilize the facts in your stories!

3. History of the Chuck Wagon - Provisions for the 1000 mile cattle drive is very interesting!

4. Basic facts about the Covered wagon (or Prairie Schooner)

5. History of the Oregon Trail for Kids

6. Facts about the Pioneer Life

7. Songs of the Westward Movement

8. Nostalgic Songs of the Westward Movement