04.07.09

California Staging

Posted in Stagecoaches at 9:48 pm by Administrator

I recently returned from a western vehicle “symposium” in Santa Ynez, California. What a trip! It was a 4 day event with hundreds of attendees. Representatives from Wells Fargo as well as the National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association, numerous museums, vehicle conservators, historians and western vehicle enthusiasts were out in force.

One of the greatest opportunities of the event was the chance to study original western stagecoaches up close. Some of America’s greatest stories and history rests on the wheels of the vehicles at Santa Ynez’s “Parks-Janeway Carriage House” as well as the “Carriage & Western Art Museum” in Santa Barbara, CA. Each location has original stages built by the legendary M.P. Henderson of Stockton, Abbot-Downing of Concord, N.H. and others. These aren’t the stripped-down, non-authentic, cheap woodworks of Hollywood, but the real deal. Many of them are in the same condition as when parked after their last trip more than a century ago. I’ll be posting photos and stories later on the “Wheels” site.

We also had the pleasure of retracing part of an old stage run – including the stage station! Just south of Santa Ynez on Hwy 154 are the remains of a steep and narrow mountain road that was once part of a vital stage connection. While the trail is now paved, the steep terrain, sheer drops and small amount of road carved out of and hugging the mountainside are constant reminders of the challenges of early travel in the West. Cold Springs Tavern – the old stage stop – is still in operation with great food and an abundance of 1800’s period atmosphere.

If you get a chance to travel west to California, don’t pass up the chance to see these museums (and others) as well as the beautiful coastal and mountain scenery. More information on the museums can be obtained by visiting www.carriagemuseum.org (Santa Barbara) or www.santaynezmuseum.org
From historic vehicles and early photos to period saddles, western ranch gear and other memorabelia, these should be on the must-see list for any Old West fanatic.

David
“Wheels That Won The West” Publishing
www.wheelsthatwonthewest.com