Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 2: Stagecoaches, Mud Wagons and Freight Wagons 

The second in our four-part series from Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop
Joe visits Hansen Wheel and Wagon shop in Letcher, South Dakota. Doug Hanson is the owner of this 40-year-old business, which is the premier builder and restorer of authentic horse-drawn vehicles. They restore and replicate wagons, coaches, carriages and more for horse-drawn vehicle enthusiast, museums, movies, Living History Farms and more.
In this episode Doug teaches us about the history of the stagecoach, mud wagon, and heavy-duty freight wagon. To restore these vehicles Doug needs to understand the history of how they were used.
The Hanson vehicle inventory it’s made up of the Hanson private collection, vehicles being restored or replicated, and inventory for sale. Doug takes us through this collection showing us the various vehicles.
VINTAGE HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLES FEATURED:
Hiawatha (PA) original 1870s concord coach.
Reproduction Amish built stagecoach. 10 to 15 years old
MP Henderson original California stage coach used by the Redding and Weaverville Stage Co. Purchased for historical content.
Original Abbott and Downing Yellowstone coach used to take visitors into Yellowstone National Park. A three bench coach originally used by the Wylie Permanent Camping Co.
Original Abbott and Downing overland Mail coach under restoration. Original wheels hardware and body.

RFD US Mail delivery buggy or sleigh with original lettering
Original John Deere farm wagon
Langdon Feeder Company of Kansas City, MO stockyards galvanized tank wagon for watering cattle
Buggies of various kinds
Sheepherder’s wagon - the original camper
Flatbed keg wagon
Restored Overland freighting supply wagon used by military and mining industry on the Deadwood Trail. Studebaker undercarriage. Often hooked to together. Doug demonstrates the various ways of breaking this wagon when it going uphill and downhill
A large "Borax" style wagon for hauling large machinery with 6-foot diameter wheels and 18-foot long box
Freight wagon from the Ketchum Wagon Days Museum used to haul ore from mountain mines to the smelter. Also used to haul provisions op the mountain. From a HC Lewis mining business.
Doug shows us his personal stage from the Old Deadwood Stage. This was an original short run to stage, a light mud wagon. It arrived in bad shape but with all the original hardware. Doug analyzed the hardware and sketched up specifications to rebuild it.
Watch all the shows in this series
Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 1: Horse-Drawn Wagons and Running Gear . • Hansen Wheel and Wagon...
Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 2:
Stagecoaches, Mud Wagons and Freight Wagons.
• Hansen Wheel and Wagon...
Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 3 - Horse Drawn Chuckwagons and Road Construction Equipment.
• Hansen Wheel and Wagon...
Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop Part 4: Artists and Craftsmen
• Hansen Wheel and Wagon...