Conestoga wagon

The Conestoga wagon, also simply known as the Conestoga, is a horse-drawn freight wagon that was used exclusively in North America, primarily the United States, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Such wagons were probably first used by Pennsylvania Dutch settlers in the early 18th century. Named for the Conestoga River, such wagons were in use as early as 1717.

Conestoga wagons are larger, heavier versions of covered wagons, covered by hemp cloths stretched over hoops, with large wheels for traveling over primitive roads, and curved sides and floor to keep the contents centered. They were pulled by a team of four to six horses. The first examples of this type may have been built at home by farmers but later were produced commercially by wagon makers and wheelwrights.

Conestoga wagons were used to carry up to 8 short tons (7.3 t) of produce or manufactured goods between farms and towns. They were most often used in the northeast United States, especially Pennsylvania, and were rarely used further west than the Mississippi River; lightweight and cheaper covered wagons were preferred by westbound pioneers. The similar but lighter Nissen wagon was used in the southeastern states. Conestoga wagons fell out of use as canals and railroads proliferated in the 19th century, which proved to be more efficient means of transporting goods.