Western Trips explores the world of horse buggies or sometimes referred to as horse drawn carriages. These were the automobiles of the 1800's and just like today's automobiles they came in a variety of styles. This was the era when horsepower literally meant horse power. In fact, horse drawn buggies were used by the public even after the automobile was first introduced. The automobile took over when the price of owning one was within reach of the common man. This finally occurred when Henry Ford's cost efficient assembly line made owning a motorized vehicle possible.
 |
| 1900 Doctor's Carriage |
While on a western road trip or vacation you'll come across many venues that exhibit authentic horse drawn buggies from America's frontier era. One interesting horse drawn carriage featured in this article is the "doctor's carriage". There were many doctor's buggies that were built with plain box type bodies. Some were designed a bit more elegant with a curved shape and large wheels. Most were made with a storage area below the drivers seat where the doctor would store his supplies and medical bag.
These buggies were used during the time that doctors actually made house calls. If a settlement was even fortunate enough to have a doctor residing within a day’s journey, settlers expected the doctor to come to them. The buggy was a necessity. Frontier doctors were typically always on call. The doctor with his black bag and buggy was a common site in towns large and small. Traveling in the frontier the doctor might have to take his supplies and buggy along very primitive trails. Treating the ill was one challenge. Getting there was often times just as difficult.
The truly professional physician was a treasure for any frontier settlement to have. The doctor of that era knew his or her patients and patients family quite well. The doctor was a pillar of the community.
 |
| 1908 Sears Cabriolet Surrey |
Sears and Roebuck were pioneers in offering needed commercial products to a growing nation. Sears was successful in marketing complete home kits. Sears also sold a horse drawn carriage which is shown in this article. In fact, there was a time you could buy almost anything from a Sears catalog. From 1909 to 1912 even motorized vehicles were added. Buyers could pick up their car at the nearest train station. Sears offered motorized buggies for about $395. Buyers could do the same with Sears house kits that were ordered.
Sears catalog sales were greatly enhanced by the expanding railroads which made it possible for people to order just about anything since the product could easily be shipped by rail. Whether the product ordered was big or small made little difference.
The early horse drawn vehicles were made almost completely of wood. Iron and steel were used for the bolts, springs, axles, tires, and suspension. You could buy a Sears Roebuck runabout in 1897 for $21.
This particular Sears buggy is a 1908 Cabriolet Surry. A surrey is a horse drawn buggy for two people generally used as a pleasure vehicle as opposed to a work wagon. It is a four wheeled buggy. Many a frontier ranch or farm had a Sears Surrey to get to town or to use for Sunday church attendance. Sears & Roebuck for example, advertised a similar model for $16.75 in 1908.
Early 1900's Buggy at Annie Riggs Memorial Museum
The horse drawn buggy shown here is an exhibit at the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum in Fort Stockton Texas. If your travels take you to southwest Texas this is a stop you want to add to your western trip planner. This buggy was restored in 2004 and is believed to be the only one in existence in Pecos County.
 |
| Early 1900's Pecos County Texas Buggy |
The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum is open six days a week, and is located at the corner of Main and Callaghan in Fort Stockton.
Two additional photo articles on Western Trips you'll enjoy include the Conestoga Wagon and the fascinating Peppard Wind Wagon of the Western Plains.
Buggy and Carriage Exhibits
The Doctor's Buggy shown at the top of this article is on display at the Texas Transportation Museum located in San Antonio. The Sears Cabriolet Surrey shown is on display at the Heritage farmstead Museum located in the north Dallas suburb of Plano Texas. The early 1900's horse drawn buggy is displayed at the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum in Fort Stockton Texas.
Among other venues west of the Mississippi River featuring horse buggies and carriages include the Carriage House Museum in Colorado Springs Colorado...the Banning Residence Museum in Wilmington California...the Frontier Army Museum in Fort Leavenworth Kansas...the Friends of the Middle Border Pioneer Museum in Mitchell South Dakota...the Montana Historical Society in Helena Montana and the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis Missouri.
(Photos from author's private collection)
