Overview

This profusely illustrated history explores Santa Fe Trade freight wagons and wagon makers. For a half-century until the railroad reached New Mexico in 1880, hundreds of freight wagons yearly hauled commercial goods over the Santa Fe Trail, the major traffic artery between Missouri and New Mexico. The author identifies wagon types and examines wagon makers and their factories, power sources, woodworking machinery, and construction processes. Individual chapters examine Pennsylvania and Missouri wagons, characteristics of freight wagons, the transition from shop to factory, and Dearborns, personal vehicles, and provision wagons. The author also devotes a chapter to the legendary wind wagon. Appendices offer first-person descriptions of merchant trains, rolling stock, and wagon factories.

Full Product Details

9780826321961

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Reviews

Mark L. Gardner's finely crafted wagon survey is an outstanding example [of Santa Fe Trail studies]. . . . Gardner has delved deeply into the matter, authoritatively describing wagon factories, makers, equipment, construction processes, and freight wagon design . . . [this] study will appeal to all those seriously interested in western travel. Wagons for the Santa Fe Trade is soundly researched and well written. . . The book should be required reading for all students of the Santa Fe trade. Meticulously researched, Wagons for the Santa Fe Trail should become a standard reference for Western historians and wagon buffs. It is clearly written and heavily illustrated with historic photographs, advertisements, and diagrams . . . Mark L. Gardners finely crafted wagon survey is an outstanding example [of Santa Fe Trail studies]. . . . Gardner has delved deeply into the matter, authoritatively describing wagon factories, makers, equipment, construction processes, and freight wagon design . . . [this] study will appeal to all those seriously interested in western travel. This masterful overview documents how the Santa Fe Trail was a proving ground for freight wagons . . . Gardners knowledge of the wagon builders art is conveyed eloquently and thoroughly, yet with modesty and grace. . . it is obvious that much time and painstaking work went into the book . . . Wagons for the Santa Fe Trade is a detailed, yet coherent guide. AAA1/2Meticulously researched, Wagons for the Santa Fe Trail should become a standard reference for Western historians and wagon buffs. It is clearly written and heavily illustrated with historic photographs, advertisements, and diagrams . . .AAA1/2 AAA1/2Mark L. GardnerAAA1/2s finely crafted wagon survey is an outstanding example [of Santa Fe Trail studies]. . . . Gardner has delved deeply into the matter, authoritatively describing wagon factories, makers, equipment, construction processes, and freight wagon design . . . [this] study will appeal to all those seriously interested in western travel.AAA1/2 AAA1/2This masterful overview documents how the Santa Fe Trail was a proving ground for freight wagons . . . GardnerAAA1/2s knowledge of the wagon builderAAA1/2s art is conveyed eloquently and thoroughly, yet with modesty and grace. . . it is obvious that much time and painstaking work went into the book . . . Wagons for the Santa Fe Trade is a detailed, yet coherent guide.AAA1/2

AAA1/2This masterful overview documents how the Santa Fe Trail was a proving ground for freight wagons . . . GardnerAAA1/2s knowledge of the wagon builderAAA1/2s art is conveyed eloquently and thoroughly, yet with modesty and grace. . . it is obvious that much time and painstaking work went into the book . . . Wagons for the Santa Fe Trade is a detailed, yet coherent guide.AAA1/2

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