Animation by Remington Carriage Museum, Alberta Canada. Carriage House In the 1800's, most travelers going west had to use some type of horse-drawn carriage or wagon. The Arbor Lodge Carriage House has a wonderful collection of carriages. The Carriage House was built in 1901 for about $10,000. The general public will be seeing less and less of these types of vehicles as time evolves. The eleven carriages housed at Arbor Lodge were actually used by J. Sterling Morton and his family. In fact, these photos were taken at Arbor Lodge. The slightest change in a design of a carriage would result in a different classification of the carriage. This made it difficult to find information on some of the vehicles. Most carriages were manufactured in the east, but, an interesting note, by the 1890's Michigan was among the nation's leaders in the carriage industry. Early on, before carriages were mass-produced, only the wealthy owned them. The carriage is also featured in the Invention section if you want to learn more. We would be delighted to hear from you if you have information on any of the carriages below.   Brougham Carriage Chippendale Four-In Break Phaeton Sleigh Cutter Stagecoach Stanhope Phaeton Surrey Taxi Three Seated Carriage

Brougham  This Brougham was used by Grover Cleveland at the dedication of the J. Sterling Morton Monument in 1905. The Brougham was designed by Lord Henry Brougham of England in 1838, and was first made by the London coach builder Robinson. It was a light, closed, horse-drawn carriage with the driver outside in front. These four-wheeled, enclosed vehicles remained popular in Europe and the U.S. throughout the carriage era. This carriage was mostly owned by the wealthy. It cost about $1,800. Carriage This carriage was noted for it's light weight, flexible design. This vehicle has a fringed canopy top. This carriage was used by the Mortons.   Chippendale This Chippendale was owned and used by Mark Morton in Chicago. This carriage is open, with a circular seating design. Everyone can sit in a circle and face each other while they are traveling. Four-In Break The name came from the French, meaning a car with benches. The break was used to "break" or train coach horses, and was also used as a lightweight sporting vehicle, usually driven by four horses. Phaeton The Phaeton was owned and used by J. Sterling Morton at Arbor Lodge. This was J. Sterling's favorite carriage. The Phaeton was driven by the passenger and has a roof that helped provide shelter for at least the driver. The Phaeton name came from the Greek , Phaethon, son of Helios, who drove so fast and careless that Zeus struck him down because he was worried that Phaethon would start the world on fire. Sleigh Cutter This light sleigh will hold two passengers. This sleigh was used by A. H. Catron, Nebraska City, 1870.         Stagecoach This stagecoach was once driven by Buffalo Bill Cody. The coach is equipped with luggage rails on top and hand lever brakes. Click here to explore the parts of a stagecoach. Stagecoaches were drawn by four to six horses, which were changed from time to time on their routes. The coach was supported by two leather straps to help make a smoother ride. The stagecoach operated from Nebraska City to Lexington, Nebraska from 1867-1871. J. Sterling used this stagecoach to transport his eastern guests from the station to his home. Stanhope Phaeton This carriage was Caroline's carriage. The Stanhope Phaeton received it's name from the designer Fitzroy Stanhope. It dates back as far as the 18th century. This carriage has what they call a groom's seat in the back of the carriage. This was not a common vehicle at that time period but lots were made and have lasted to this day. Surrey A family type carriage, carrying four people easily. The surrey was built around 1870. The surreys didn't have any doors. It was constructed without axle wheels. Taxi This taxicab was purchased by Joy Morton in 1893 at the cost of $750.00.   Three-Seated Carriage This three-seated carriage was used by the Morton Family at Arbor Lodge. The design looked like a coupe, with the front removed. This was said to be the last carriage made by Kendall Carriage Company.   Links to learn more about Carriages Carriage Association of America, Carriages Ann and Charles Leck, The Carriages and Sleighs of Ann and Charles Leck Antiques and the Arts Online, The Carriage Era in New York Carriage Making, Michigan Historical Museum, Arbor Day Arbor Lodge Carriage House Carriage Parts E-Mail (link disabled) Guest book Home Inventions Little Pioneers Migration Map Plants Resources Site Map The Arts The Morton's Trees More Arts Transportation Family Tree

Capri

Little Pioneers