EXPLORE LAGOON: PIONEER VILLAGE TOUR: Carriage Hall
CARRIAGE HALL
Carriage Hall is the largest building in Pioneer Village and home to a large collection of authentic horse-drawn vehicles. One carriage (although it isn't noted by any signs in the attraction) was owned by William Stanton, who was President Lincoln's Secretary of War, obtained by Lagoon from the Stanton family. The second floor is used for storage and as far as I know, was never open to visitors.
STAGECOACH
This was the original Stagecoach made to give rides to guests in Pioneer Village's early days. It was put on display here and replaced by a different carriage.
A WINTER SCENE
"An attractive necessity, sleighs were large and roomy; easily adapted from carriage designs they utilized runners instead of wheels."
CHILD'S HEARSE
THE POPCORN WAGON
One of the newer additions to Carriage Hall is this popcorn wagon which was brought to Lagoon in 1965. Over the years it served popcorn, lemonade and other snacks in locations such as Opera House Square and, most recently, the Old Engine House in Pioneer Village.
THE MORMON HANDCART
"This handcart is made according to Brigham Young's specifications, usually of oak or hickory."
"This is a typical construction of a handcart used by the Mormon Pioneers from 1856 to 1860. There were 10 companies with nearly 3,000 people that made their way west with this type of vehicle. Some were covered and some were very flimsly in construction. Most of them had trouble because of using unseasoned wood. Most of the carts would weigh from 100 to 160 lbs., and they were limited to 500 to 600 lbs., carrying the needs of 6 to 7 people. They traveled from Missouri or Iowa (300 miles) to Florence, Nebraska and from there to Salt Lake City (1,000 miles) in 4 to 5 months, some even made it in 90 days. They were powered and fueled by muscle and determination."
PETER SCHUTTLER WAGON
"Various geographical sections had distinct preference in wagon styles. This model weighs 1600 pounds and could haul three tons. It has a slightly narrower track. Note arrangement of brakes. All wood was soaked in oil."
25TH STREET, 1869
"Light delivery wagons were the backbone of merchandising and delivery in America. With the background early main street in Ogden, Utah, these practical wagons are typical of those that were part of the American scene for about 100 years."
"An Ice Wagon was a familiar sight across America until long after World War I. An Ice Wagon would carry about 700 pounds of ice that had been harvested in the winter from frozen ponds and stored, often in sawdust, in ice houses until needed. Huge cakes, weighing up to 300 pounds, were carried on the tail gate, the ice man chipped a block from a larger piece to the size desired by the customer. The children would gather in anticipation of the ice chips."
"The little Deseret News delivery wagon bears the famous name of its manufacturer, Studebaker. This company produced a great variety of vehicles."
"In the days of the Rural Free Delivery, the mailwagon with its once or twice a week delivery, depending on how far away the people lived, was welcome by country folk awaiting letters, fashion magazines, booklets and newspapers from urban areas."
"Oil wagons were used to carry kerosene from house to house, the kerosene was used to light household lamps."
"Not everyone could afford to send out their laundry, but, to those who could, the litte American Linen wagon would carry back the clean pressed items and carry away the dirty laundry bundles. This was usually a service to the populated areas."
THE STABLE
"In its setting, a reproduction of the stable belonging to the Kerns family of Utah, the Joubert and White buckboard might not be entirely in place. A surrey was not always to be found in the most fashionable coach house. However, its practicability made it popular. Designers Edward Joubert and J. Huyler White, in 1864 devised a remarkable suspension system that made the Buckboard, or Surrey extremely comfortable and very desirable.
The Brougham, designed by England's Lord Brougham, was a practical and stylish vehicle driven by a coachman. If a gentleman were to have only one town carriage, the Brougham was the one. Prior to 1837 there had been no closed carriages for one horse suitable to a gentleman's needs.
Conceived as a vehicle for one horse and one servant, it was equally suited to a pair of horses and two servants. It accommodated two passengers."
THE MANSION
"These two vehicles are the types of carriages to be owned by the wealty. In this display we see them in front of the Gardo House on South Temple Street, Salt Lake City."
"The Harney Coach [left] is one of the most valuable in the country. Purchased in Europe it was shipped to New Orleans, then floated on a barge up the Mississippi to Tippets, Missouri where Captain Harney, second in command of Johnston's Army, met the barge. He drove the coach across the plains to Fort Bridger, Wyoming. There it was presented to the wife of Judge W.A. Carter, considered to be the First Lady of the Territory.
Carriage style of the Harney Coach is known as the Berlin, typified by a large coach body set upon a double perch.
The Victoria carriage [right] was not popular in England until after 1869 when the Prince of Wales, then Edward the VII, gave one to his mother, Queen Victoria. Prior to that time it had been manufactured for sale abroad and was a fashionable Huch in America, called 'Milord.' Queen Victoria's patronage popularized it in England and on the continent after 1869."
THE FARM
"Rural families eagerly anticipated the Peddler's Wagon. The peddler's business was often done in barter and the wagon was equipped with drawers, compartments, racks and hangers for display.
Household items to be traded for the wagon's merchandise often included linen rags, goose quills, hair, old pewter, wood ashes, and anything someone else might want or need."
"Originating in the West, the White Top (right) was used for light work when the seats were removed, and, for family transportation when the seats were in place.
The White Top and the Buckboard were to be found on the farms, large and small, across America. American carriage makers developed practical lightweight carriages when they used hickory, elm and whitewood, remarkable for their strength and durability. The Buckboard was light and springy."
Original arrangement inside Carriage Hall.
NEXT STOP: Miniature Circus / Toy & Doll Museum
SOURCES
Lagoon
Deseret News
Updated 7 Aug 2007
