In the mid- to late 1800s, thousands of pioneers traveled west in covered wagons. At that time, America had recently gained thousands of square miles of land, land ripe for settling.
The settlers used three types of wagons: basic, prairie schooners, and Conestoga wagons, each of which is described below.
Basic wagons were very simple, being nothing more than a wood box, four wheels, and a tarp cover.
Prairie schooners were a little fancier, and were built to withstand the harsh conditions of the trail.
Conestoga wagons were the fanciest of the three. This is thed classic "pioneer wagon" image. They were tougher than the prairie schooners, but also heavier.
The pioneers used three types of animals: horses, oxen, and mules.
Horses were fast and unsuitable for pulling heavy loads on thed trail. However, they were also useful when not traveling, both as work animals and transportation.
Oxen were far stronger than horses, and more suited for the rigors of the trail. They were also adept at plowing prairie sod. Though they were stronger, oxen also had to eat more, which will deplete your food supplies faster.
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