Country Prints

In May of 2006 I saw an ad for an estate auction which included many horse-drawn pieces. A similar sleigh to the one I had seen in the antique store was in the ad. Attending that auction was the greatest moment in my life. I brought home the beautiful white Russian Cutter sleigh and also an 1895 Springboard Wagon. The wagon was in very rough shape, but I had a vision. As my sister once said, “You believe in the impossible”……….

This 1905 Buggy was manufactured at the Henney Buggy Factory in Freeport, Illinois. It was purchased at the annual antique auction over at the Cedar County Fairgrounds in 2007. It appeared to have been stored in a barn and had not been driven since the early 1900's. The paint was a disaster and the seat was rotted out. After tackling the Springboard Wagon, this project would be much easier or so I thought! It took almost a whole year to revive this lost treasure.

The wheels were greased and the metal parts all wire brushed, primed and painted. Next the paint was removed and the oak box and wheels were treated with boiled linseed oil----which restored moisture to the 100 year old wood. A coat of primer and then finally the satin finish black paint. The newly upholstered seat was mounted on the box and a few finished touches applied. And what about a touch of antique gold paint for the hubs and steps.......

The Henney Buggy now waits for Sunday afternoon drives along Dakota County country roads with Cheyenne, the driving horse at the helm.

"Once again ready for the long ride home, the 1895 Springboard Wagon stands and waits. One can almost hear the sound of the horses’ hooves and the wheels as they rolled along."

"In the spirit of preserving our pioneer past, I took on the task of restoring this old worn out springboard wagon. Even though at times tedious, just imagining the cargo this wagon used to haul and the team that once pulled it made the task well worth the effort. It was truly an honor to bring back a memory of yesteryear."

This 1895 Springboard Wagon was found in 2006 at an auction over by Randolph, Nebraska. It was in very rough condition with dry, rotted wheels. Restoring it came about by pure accident. A very good friend of mine made the comment, "I fail to see the beauty in this wagon". I thought I would very much like to prove her wrong. And so began the summer long task of bringing it back to life.

First, the wheels came off and new ones were made by a wheelwright in central Nebraska. He made the new wheels out of oak and mounted them on new axles. These wheels have roller bearings, which mean that you do not have to grease them too often. Next, the box was removed from the under carriage. And the tedious task of restoring the metal parts began. After many hours of removing the rust, the metal was primed and painted a beautiful satin black. The under carriage wood and wheels were stained and then sealed.

Finally, the box was sanded, stained and sealed. The seat was painted and a new upholstery job was finished. The wagon was put back together and a driving horse was purchased from an Amish family.