Dakota's Wagon West Stagecoach
Carries US mail, and passengers
Advantages
- cover up to 60 miles per day
- could transport a large amount of of goods
- could travel long distances
- safer than traveling alone
- frequent stops about every 10-12 miles
- more suitable for the western terrain
Disadvantages
- uncomfortable
- dirty
- very compacted (passengers and cargo)
History
The use of stagecoaches began in Europe around the 1600s, and continued to the United States through the 1800s. The first stagecoach in the US was in New England, in 1744. As it became more popular it moved to New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and continued to grow all the way to the west of the United States. There were several different stagecoach lines. Wells Fargo&Co. Express Company, Butterfield Overland Stage Company were the most popular. The stagecoach started losing business to the railroad, as the railroad moved west. But where there wasn't a nearby railroad the stagecoach was still a demand. As time went on though the stagecoach would come to an end in the early 1900's due to the introduction of the automobile.
How does the stagecoach connect to North Dakota?
The stagecoach was commonly used over the plains to deliver cargo, mail, or even money for the banking company Wells Fargo. Besides carrying goods, the stagecoach was a way of transportation for the people.
Concord coach
Used to carry passengers. First established in 1827, by the Abbot Downing Company.