Colorful Rides

When I think of a wagon, I imagine one of unpainted wood, and, when I think of a carriage, I visualize a black one. That was not necessarily the case, however. Horse-drawn vehicles were painted in an array of colors, and different parts might be different colors. 

Although black was indeed the most popular carriage color, there were also brown, white, green, red, yellow, blue, purple, and burgundy ones in different shades and hues. Striping also grew popular, and, in the 1860's and 1870's, black carriages with gold stripes were all the rage. Carriages with fancy scroll work also became a fad. Mountings and fittings might be made of brass, ivory, silver, or gold for the wealthy.

The upholstery inside added additional color. A buyer could choose from leather, velvet, satin, corduroy, or broadcloth in an array of colors.

Of course, for those who were lucky to even have a wagon, the conveyance would likely be much plainer. In Cleared for Planting, when Emma's family moved to the Appalachian Mountains, Emma was afraid their rickety wagon and bone-poor mules wouldn't even make the trip.

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