Anyone traveling the interstates and roadways throughout America has noticed the large number of tractor-trailers on the road. These big rigs are a lifeline to what we need and when we need it. What sometimes gets overlooked, though, is the maker of the large trailers. Those brand names can hold a lot more than the essentials of life. Beyond a load of food, materials, tools, toys, equipment, technology, and supplies, some of these hi-tech, long-haul travelers can carry a significant backstory. Such is the case with the Stoughton trailer brand. The Stoughton name is literally loaded with history. In fact, as of 2025, the Stoughton brand is celebrating one hundred sixty years' worth of transportation leadership! It's an amazing heritage and yet another example of the legacies left by early wagon makers.
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Over a year ago, we were contacted for assistance with vehicle consultations as well as help with documenting and penning a brief write-up on Stoughton's early history. Likewise, the Stoughton Trailer Company had reached out to Doug Hansen for help in locating and restoring a specific set of wheels. They were looking for a surviving, nineteenth-century Stoughton brand wagon and the history that went with it. With so much early imagery and information in the Wheels That Won The West® archives, we've worked with Doug and his incredible team a number of times to help fill in the missing blanks of a story. In this specific case, while the Hansen crew was working on the wagon, we were focused on helping with paint details and date confirmations as well as gathering period materials for the physical presentation of the wagon. A few weeks ago, the restored wagon was rolled into the company's brand-new headquarters in Stoughton, Wisconsin. It's an impressive sight to see and the Hansen crew made sure the wagon was period correct in every respect.
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This week's blog covers a bit of that company history as well as a timeline of the company name transitions. It also seems like the perfect time to spotlight one of the oldest, surviving Stoughton wagons in the country. It's located in the Lake County Museum in Madison, South Dakota and is quite a treat to review. I'll highlight more of our visit there toward the end of this write-up. In the meantime, if you ever wondered about the shared early history of T.G. Mandt and Stoughton, below are a few details...
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In 1865, America's Civil War ended, the country's first quick-draw gunfight took place, and the Battle of the Little Big Horn was still over a decade away. The nation was young, opportunity was ripe, and the West was truly wild. Into that setting came a young Norwegian by the name of T. G. Mandt. More than a dreamer, Mandt was an early transportation designer with groundbreaking ideas. Setting up shop in Stoughton, Wisconsin near the Yahara River (known as Catfish River at the time), his vision began with $40 in his pocket.
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From his detailed craftsmanship to his focus on advancements, Mandt's penchant for wheeled genius was quickly noticed. The first 'Stoughton' wagons sold for $85 and were positioned head-to-head with more established brands. As word of the company spread, Stoughton became a favored choice. By the 1880's, the factory had a capacity for building as many as 6,000 wagons per year. Within twenty years, that number would more than triple.
Distinctions built into many of the four-wheeled marvels included heavy-duty, dodge-spoked (staggered) hubs, a truss rod under both axles, extra spokes in the wheels, added iron reinforcements, and elaborate striping. In1889, Mandt decided to leave the organization and start a new wagon company. Others stayed the course with the Stoughton brand, turning out even more of the highly-sought-after machines. By this time, the company was well known and had a strong base of support. In 1898, Stoughton extended its accolades by winning a Gold Medal for the Best Farm Wagons at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition. It was an optimistic time tempered only by the up-and-coming motor vehicle industry.
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Overall, the company made a wide variety of farm, freight, ranch, business, and spring wagons as well as buggies, sleighs, and bob sleds. While costs for a Stoughton wagon varied based on the size and type purchased, in the early 1900's, $150 could buy a well-equipped, two-horse design.
As 1920 approached, horse-drawn travel was waning. Stoughton began shifting its manufacturing to motor trucks as well as automobile bodies for brands like Ford and Studebaker. The company distinguished its own trucks by designing them with oversized parts for "extra wear, longer life, and lower upkeep." The models were available in 1½, 2, and 3-ton capacities.
During the Great Depression, Stoughton added semi-trailers to its product line. Beyond a simple box on wheels, these revolutionary haulers were supported by a number of patents. Toward the latter part of the 1930's, the company became more involved with building cabs and bodies for commercial trucks, buses, and vans. It was a direction that continued for the next few decades. In 1967, Stoughton solidified its focus on semi-trailers and, today, after 160 years as a transportation pioneer, the brand still showcases its legacy of leadership through visionary innovation, detailed craftsmanship, and amazing people. That's the power and persistence of $40 and a dream.
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The restored Stoughton wagon now shown in the trailer company's headquarters was originally built circa 1898. It's a rare survivor. Rated for a hauling capacity of 4500 pounds, it features accessories like brakes, a spring seat, and folding end gate. True to the brand, early Stoughton vehicles in great condition are prized among collectors.
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Like many early wagon companies, the Stoughton brand went through a number of ownership and name changes since its beginnings. Below is a list ofthe transitions from the launch in 1865 through 2025...
- Mandt Wagon Works (also referred to as the Stoughton Wagon Works) 1865-1884
- T.G. Mandt Mfg.Co. Ltd., 1884-1889
- Stoughton Wagon Company, 1889-1926
- Stoughton Company, 1927-1932
- New Stoughton Company, 1932-1936
- Stoughton Cab & Body Company, 1937-1958
- Stoughton Body Division, MPM Corp., 1958-1961
- Stoughton Truck Body Company, 1961-1967
- Stoughton Trailers, Inc., 1967-present
As with most major wagon brands, Stoughton designs evolved over time. It's one of the ways we can get a rough estimate on a timeframe of manufacture. Among the oldest surviving Stoughton wagons is one at the Lake County Museum on the Dakota State University campus in Madison, South Dakota. The wagon running gear is an 1870s-era survivor with beaded hub bands, through-bolted construction, original cover, bolted reach, and a period-correct, ornately-styled circle iron on the front hounds. The high wheel, narrow tire running gear has some later adaptations and replaced parts. Nonetheless, a good portion of the gear was designed by T. G. Mandt prior to him leaving the firm in 1889.
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The Lake County Museum was founded in1952 and dedicated in 1961. Its focus is to help preserve the artifacts and stories of early pioneers. Inside, you'll find a number of period artifacts including a 1920 Model 37B Oldsmobile sedan, 'Western Queen' 1870s breaking plow with original maker stenciling, period ox yokes, multiple early fire hose carts, early firearms and weapons, railroad cart, 1800s camping items, and, well, actually, the list of early items is too numerous to mention here. You can see a little more about the museum by visiting lakecountymuseum.org
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Lastly, while I was sharing in some one-on-one discussions at the recent wagon event in Council Grove, Kansas, I had a gentleman ask me about the brand of a repainted seat on a wagon. The seat had distinctive design features making it relatively easy to identify the maker. By now, you've probably guessed, it was a Stoughton. As an old-timer might say, "It's important to get the right collar on the right dog." In this case, if a person is looking to keep a wagon brand correct with all of its features - including the seat - it's important to recognize telltale features from particular brands. One thing I can confidently say is that you never know where you're going to run across a particular brand wagon or accessory. If it's a legendary name from the Old West, it can be especially important to know what you're looking at. This history is everywhere and, like those long-haul rigs on the road, you may turn a corner and find it right in front of you.
From early wood-wheeled innovations with great looks and powerful features to modern-day icons with cutting-edge advancements and innovations, the Stoughton name continues to reinforce a 160-year-old dream with a Lasting Legacy of Leadership.
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Psalm 20:7