Author: desteede

This is a smaller conveyance than the previous ones, as indicated by it being displayed on top of a table or cabinet. Such a sleigh would only be suitable for a small child as a entertainment, often pulled by a dog or goat, depending on the season. In snowy winters, it could also be used unharnessed by descending down a snow covered slope the way a sled would be used.

The description states:
BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED SLEIGH
Sleigh painted by one of Nebraska’s Famous Artists, Terence Duren. On display with 30,000 times in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This particular sleigh was probably intended only for indoor use. The card likely dates from the 1960s.

This is an example of the kind of wagon that roamed the rural roads of the old Northwest and Great Plains, selling necessary and luxury goods that would otherwise not be available locally. Often these peddler’s wagons brought products and devices recently invented or developed, and as yet unknown to the customers along the route.

The description states:
AN 1870s PEDDLER’S WAGON
It came by our house in grandfather’s day. One phase in the evolution of merchandising in the days before Hardware Stores. One of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–Dedicated hardware stores were a long time coming, but hardware could usually be easily obtained from the local blacksmith. As mass production began to squeeze out the blacksmith’s role in making hardware components, general stores would often stock quantities of hardware items which would be supplemented by items from such a peddler.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.

This tank wagon carried water instead of oil or other comestible liquid. The tank was attached to pipes that extended behind the wagon and sprayed water along the wagon’s route, moistening the dirt roads and reducing dust. Since many towns had no pavement, such sprinklers made for a much cleaner city and populace.

The description states:
THE STREET SPRINKLER
It kept down the dust in Grandfather’s Day. One of the many horse-drawn rigs on display among 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–The card most likely dates from the 1960s.

This coach-like vehicle was the predecessor to the common urban buses of today. Also called horse buses, they were the common public transport for people and belongings within an urban area, or for short distances from railroad depots. Longer distances were accomplished by stage coaches.

The description states:
OMNIBUS OF 1850
It met every train in grandfather’s day. It also preceded the horse-drawn street car. One of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.

This is a small and simple railroad engine called a Porter locomotive. It was not commonly used for mainline service, the majority of them being built for rail yard and track building/maintenance duties. They were also often narrow gauge.

The description states:
EARLY WOOD BURNING PORTER LOCOMOTIVE
Several of today’s transcontinental railroads started operations with a locomotive like this. It is just one of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress over the past 120 years. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–Such locomotives were unlikely to be used by Class 1 railroads on their long distance runs. This card is probably from the 1960s.

This Conestoga wagon is often confused with the more modest Prairie Schooner, which was the common transport for pioneers heading west into and across the Great Plains as far as the Pacific coast of California and Oregon. The Conestoga was larger and heavier, and less well suited for the long journeys of the westward migration.

The description states:
GENUINE ORIGINAL CONESTOGA WAGON
In the line of transportation that starts with the ox-cart and ends with the jet airplane. This is just one of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr. on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This wagon was probably only used in the eastern states for freight transport and was moved to Nebraska as a historical artifact. The card likely dates from the 1960s.

The main object in this image is a tank wagon intended to transport oil to service stations and refueling depots. The smaller containers were for other kinds of fuel and lubricants, or for smaller orders. It was owned and operated by the Standard Oil Trust.

The description states:
THE STANDARD OIL WAGON
These were the wagons that made Rockefeller wealthy. This is one of 30,000 items in 22 building on 2 1/2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.

The second kitchen display is 40 years after the previous one shown, and illustrates the widespread availability of gas and electricity in this era.

The description states:
1930 KITCHEN
The housewife of 1930 had things very “modern” when the stove burned a natural gas flame. The iron and toaster were now electric. The 12 gauge shotgun was now automatic and the icebox electric. The phonograph came in a cabinet and the radio brought entertainment. The Singer Sewing Machine had a drop head, the telephone was improved with batteries inside and the sink had hot and cold running water. Electricity had come to America’s kitchens.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.

This shows the typical accommodations and features of a pioneer kitchen at the turn of the 20th Century. More urban or wealthy families would have more and greater numbers of appliances or devices, often including gas and electrical ones. This image includes the basic wood burning stove and cooker, which was almost always in the same room where the food was eaten.

The description states:
1890 KITCHEN
With a cook stove that has oven doors on each side, a single barrel 8 gauge shotgun, tin icebox with Lazy Susan shelves, portable organ, oak cradle, drop-leaf pad table. Kerosene lamp with chimney, a kerosene stove, dry sink with pail and dipper. All showing the continued progress of man from 1830.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.

This shows a few of the machines and devices for printing in a time before electricity or other power assistance. There is a hand press in the back, and what appears to be a rotary press in the left foreground. The shop sign shows three ‘printer’s devils’, the title of the printer’s apprentices in such businesses. Many famous American’s worked as printer’s devils, including Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain.

The description states:
PRINT SHOP
One of 14 Old Craft Shops Seen Here
20,000 items in 20 buildings on 2 city blocks, showing man’s progress over the past 120 years. 132 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr, on U. S. 6.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.