Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - July 8,1984
By Richard C. Tuttle
Vigo County Historical Society

Wooden wagon top toy of an earlier, bygone era

"Hey, skinny -- look at my new wagon."

And the shiny bright wooden wagon was a sight for kids, and made the owner the envy of the other kids in the neighborhood.

The wooden wagon in the nursery display room at the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley is not shiny new wood, but it works and is representative of an era when wooden toys dominated the toy and children's vehicle market.

All wood, except for the axles and wheel rims, the wagon was suitable for youngsters up to about 12. It was often propelled by one child pushing while a second rode and steered the wagon. The arguments usually started when it was time for rider and pusher to change.

The wagon on display is a Pioneer Artillery Wheel Coaster. The bed is about four inches deep, three feet long and 16 inches wide. By crowding a bit, two could sit in the wagon. One-man operation meant kneeling on one leg in the bed, and pushing with the other foot, one hand steering and the other resting on the side of the bed. It was noisy on sidewalks, but really rolled down a small incline.

The wooden wagon gave was to the all-metal version in the 1930s.