Above: George Ledford driving the Cloverdale-Greenwood Stage. Photograph courtesy of the Ledford family.
The Mendocino County Museum is the proud home to over a dozen wagons and rolling stock. The collection ranges from simple hay wagons to flashy Spanish phaetons. Many of these wagons were originally collected as vehicles for the early Frontier Days parades. Interpretation of the wagons expanded beyond early transportation to encompass the history of community events in Mendocino County.
Above: Cloverdale-Greenwood Stage mud wagon (Mendocino County Museum Collection 1972-0056-0005) on exhibit at the Mendocino County Museum. Photograph by Larry Melious for the Mendocino County Museum.
The Cloverdale-Greenwood Stage line was started by Fountain George Ledford circa 1890 and continued to run into the 1920's. The line operated between Cloverdale and Greenwood (now known as Elk). During the winter mud wagons were the preferred method for navigating Mendocino County's rough roads and terrain.
Many of the wagons from our collection found a new lease on life in the Willits Frontier Days Celebration. Without the need for vehicles for Frontier Days many of these wagons would not be around today. Through the concerted efforts of Judge Fred Foord and Frank Whitney many wagons were rescued and became part of a beloved community tradition.
Above: Wagons awaiting their new home at the Mendocino County Museum circa 1972.
When the wagons collected by Judge Foord and Frank Whitney came to the Museum in 1973 they became the foundation for the collection we house today. First Mendocino County Museum Director Herb Pruett oversaw the acquisition of the wagons and created sketches detailing each wagon.
Above: Drawing of hay cart (Mendocino County Collection 1972-0056-0001) by Herb Pruett for the Mendocino County Museum Collection.
Above: Photo of covered wagon drawn by horse. Photo from Mendocino County Museum Collection 1987-0009-0008.