Prairie Schooners

A prairie schooner was a type of covered wagon used by settlers moving west in the 1800s, especially during the Oregon Trail and California Trail migrations. Designed to carry families and their belongings, it featured a sturdy wooden frame and a large canvas cover that shielded occupants from weather. These wagons were essential for long-distance travel across the plains, providing transport, shelter, and storage. Despite their simplicity, prairie schooners were durable and adaptable, helping pioneers establish new communities in the expanding American frontier.