Photos Provided by Steven Pattie
A Wagon Load of History!
Written By Michael F. Brookman
Gilroy resident Steven Pattie knows an historical footnote when he sees one! Steven is a graduate of Gilroy High School and now lives back on his parent’ s ranch in the west foothills. His passion for folk art gives him a sensitive eye for the unique. He has an impressive collection and produced a movie short on Howard Finster. It was no surprise that when he saw an antique wagon with uncommon lines that his interest was piqued. He purchased the wagon and began researching its roots.
Preservation began and a maker’ s plate was discovered on the frame of the wagon between the rear wheels. It was from the Bain Wagon Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin. The company was a major producer of wagons and wagon frames from the time of the Civil War until the early 1920s. It was common for consumers to purchase wagon frames separately from the actual coach work. That way, the end user could customize the wagon for his own needs. This is apparently the case with Steven’ s wagon. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Library Digital Collection has a 1902 catalog from the Bain Company. The“ California Header Truck” bare running gear matches the dimensions of Steven’ s wagon.
Steven’ s research into the coach style found it was probably part of an interesting agricultural heritage. The basic outline is that of what is known as a“ shepherd’ s” wagon. Straight walls, door on the back, an arched roof and nowhere for the driver to sit were hallmarks of the type. Shepherds in the late 19 th and early 20 th Centuries had different shelter needs than the classic Western cowboy. Shepherds would graze their sheep at one site for a few days or weeks and then move onto the next. This meant that they would be camping in one place for some time, unlike cowboys. The wagons were hauled on
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN APRIL / MAY 2018 gmhtoday. com