Covered wagons

America westward migration

From the early 1840s through the 1860s, the United States saw large numbers of emigrant families traveling westward across the prairies and along the overland trails. Most emigrants followed one of several westward expansion trails, departing from Missouri River towns each spring, and faced journeys of around 2,000 miles (3,200 km), traveling 10–20 miles (16–32 km) per day. The Conestoga wagon was too heavy for the long westward migrations, and rarely went west of the Missouri River, though some were used as freighters on the Santa Fe Trail. The primary vehicles for westward migrations were farm wagons with a bed about 10 feet (3.0 m) long, 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, and sides 2 feet (0.61 m) high. They had five or six bows, over which was draped a light-colored cover of canvas, twill, or similar fabric. Oxen were the most common animal used for pulling covered wagons, although mules and horses were also used. Authors of guidebooks written for emigrants noted that oxen were more reliable, less expensive, and nearly as fast as other options.