Covered Wagon

The first settlers in German Township traveled from eastern Ohio in covered wagons made by putting bows and a canvas on a farm wagon. The wagon was packed with the most valuable items on the bottom, including seed for crops and food staples such as flour that were not needed for the journey. When they arrived at the sites of their new homes, the settlers used the canvas for temporary shelter and turned the wagon back into a farm wagon. The wagons were pulled by oxen, which had great strength, could better withstand the journey through the swamp, could be used to plow and do other farm work, and in an emergency could be used as food.

Archbold, Ohio · United States