Life is defined by a myriad of moments and memories. Sharing the best of those times with others can make our days even more special. Last weekend, we were happy to host Doug Hansen (Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop) and fellow craftsman extraordinaire, Jim Patrick, at our home here in the Ozarks. (Side note: If you've never seen Jim's rack bed Peter Schuttler chuck wagon, it's among the most extraordinary I've seen!)
L to R... Doug Hansen, Jim Patrick, David Sneed
Doug was delivering our original Virginia City, Montana stage after doing some conservation work over the past several months. Servicing the West as early as the Civil War, this 9 (interior) passenger Heavy Overland had been in multiple wrecks and was in need of TLC for some time. As I've shared in the past, our goal was not to restore the historic traveler but treasure the scars, patina, and history that more than a half century of service in the Rocky Mountains had left behind. In other words, the look of this old warrior isn't just a product of its past, it's a testimony to America's growth and early opportunities in the Old West. With the careful conservation work, it's now in a place to share its story with generations to come.
Showing the surviving period paint on the body and gear as well as the aged wear, scars, and patina, we elected to keep the original, last-used look of this old mud wagon. We felt that it helps give a clearer persective on the rugged demands of the life lived by this machine in the Old West. Image Courtesy Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop.
Image Courtesy Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop.
After Doug and Jim's arrival, we unloaded the Concord, New Hampshire creation and talked about the maintenance and future plans for the stage. Then, their eyes began to drift, wandering through the variety of vehicles, tools, advertising, and other materials in our collection. It was a great visit and opportunity to share the background behind pieces we've gathered over the years. What stands out to me every time we have a visitor is that there never seems to be enough time to go through everything. Every piece has a story and reason as to why it's in the collection. Ultimately, we want to help others see the realities of the who, what, when, why, and how things were done. Learning from the perspective of primary source materials can give us dramatically different views than the personal opinions and best guesses of social media.
The depth of the study of wood-wheeled wagons and other western vehicles is massive and, like the West, the stories are equally as large. It's another reason I'm looking forward to the wagon gathering being hosted by the American Chuck Wagon Association August 14-15, 2026 in Granbury, Texas. From the wide variety of vendors and networking opportunities to the official program and speakers, this promises to be a rare chance to connect and take home a world of wagon knowledge.
Speakers at the 2-day program include Doug Hansen from Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop, Glenn Moreland of Texas Cowboy Outfitters, and Mark Day, modern-day cooper, dutch oven cook, and chuck wagon creator. I'll also be there with a couple of lengthy presentations focused on the identification, dating, tips for collecting, and other elements related to the history of wood wheeled wagons. Additionally, I'll cover the recognition of unique features, evolutionary traits, accessories, and other details. Our Wheels ThatWon The West® presentations are always packed with hard-to-find facts and imagery showcasing America's early wagon industry.
For more details on what promises to be a "Don't Miss" event, reach out to the American Chuck Wagon Association at www.americanchuckwagons.com Their email address is... acwa@chuckwagon.org or you can phone them at 940-532-1788.
Hope to see you there!
David
Ps. 20:7