With tens of thousands of early vehicle builders documented in our Wheels That Won The West® Archives, America's early transportation industry was anything but small. Even so, finding specific examples within the millions of vehicles they collectively created can sometimes be a challenge. It's a problem further complicated with questions like... Where is information on individual makers located, how did a particular manufacturer design certain features, when was a given technology first used, what are the best books to read and many more similar queries.
A mud wagon (stage) on display at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, CA.
Located throughout the U.S., much of the surviving information is so scattered it requires the stealth of a detective to find it. In hopes of lessening the conundrum of locating some of the vehicles, we've consistently shared places across the U.S. that possess a number of these pieces. The highlights are far from a complete list but they do offer a few insights into areas with interesting sets of wheels.
An original M.P. Henderson-built stage. It's located at Scotty's Castle, Death Valley.
On our recent trip to southern California, we saw more than a hundred vehicles ranging from Big Wheels (giant logging carts), mud wagons, and touring coaches to rack bed wagons, Mountain wagons, Concord coaches, buckboards, and tall-sided freighters. Makers of these early wheels ranged from Studebaker, Schuttler, and Weber to Winona, Bain, Abbot-Downing, M.P. Henderson, Gestring, and others. It was a lot to take in and we took away nearly 2,000 photos of original western wagons and coaches for our archives.
One of the first places we visited was in the heart of Los Angeles. Centered in the financial district, the Wells Fargo History Museum is home to a very special vehicle. Coach #599 is a 9 passenger Concord Coach built by the Abbot-Downing Company in 1895. It was originally used on J.B. Barbee's stageline from Columbia to Campbellsville, Kentucky. According to the book, "Time Well Kept," released by Wells Fargo Historical Services, this coach was later acquired by C.H. Burton for his Monticello to Burnside route - believed to be the last stagecoach line in operation in Kentucky. As shown in the photos below, the coach - in predominantly original and exceptional condition - is on display at the Wells Fargo History Museum in Los Angeles, CA.
We'd like to extend a special thank you to the great folks at the Wells Fargo Museum for such great hospitality during our visit. In the coming weeks, we'll share additional images and information on even more of the vehicles we had the privilege of documenting. In the meantime, if you haven't signed up to receive notices every time we update this blog, click on the link in the right hand section of our website, leave us your email, and we'll make sure you're on the list. Thanks again for checking in. Have a great week!
2025 UPDATE - Sadly, the Wells Fargo History Museum in Los Angeles (and other locations) is now listed as being 'Permanently' closed. It's one more reminder that access to unique pieces is not always easy. From research and education to purchases and travel plans, I tend to encourage folks to 'strike while the iron is hot.' Personal encounters with the rarest parts of our past is not a guarantee. So, if you get a chance - take it. The same opportunities may not be there tomorrow.