Tucson Rodeo Museum

We've been trying to visit the Rodeo Museum for a couple weeks now and today was the big event.  Gerry had a previous engagement and didn't make the trip with us.  I am sure after she sees all the photos, she will be eager to check it out.

The annual Tucson Rodeo is coming up in a few weeks and we lucked out and picked a day when they weren't so busy at the museum and we could wander around to our hearts content.  It took us over 1.5 hrs to check everything out and it was worth it.  

Mud stagecoach

Tucson paddy wagon

Stagecoach

Maximilian horse drawn carriage in great shape.

Neat old carriage

Studebaker wagon

Studebaker wagons were produced from the 1850s through the first part of the 1900s.  When the automobile came along Studebaker began producing cars and the importance of the wagon division faded as demand receded.

Old Tucson dairy delivery wagon

Buckboard used by John Wayne in McLintlock

Brewery delivery wagon

The Conestoga wagon is a heavy, covered wagon that was used extensively during the late 18th century and the 19th century in the United States and Canada.  It was large enough to transport loads up to 8 tons  and was drawn by horses, mules or oxen. It was designed to help keep its contents from moving about when in motion and to aid it in crossing rivers and streams, though it sometimes leaked unless caulked.

The term "Conestoga wagon" refers specifically to this type of vehicle; it is not a generic term for "covered wagon". The wagons used in the westward expansion of the United States were, for the most part, ordinary farm wagons fitted with canvas covers.

Dual purpose carriage

The driver's area was very small and only a small person could sit there.

Steam driven Carnival calliope

 The museum was well laid out and the volunteers were very friendly and helpful.  There were many more wagons and artifacts that were very interesting, but all the photos would overwhelm the blog.  We did see the horse trailer of the Cisco Kid and it looked like it was new.  Duncan Renaldo was the real name of the Cisco Kid and led an interesting life and only starred as the Kid from 1950 on.  He received $500 for each episode of the series.

We stopped briefly at one of the GEM show tents and Sue was in seventh heaven checking out all the baubles and beads.  I think she has plans to return to the GEM show if she gets a chance.

After that we picked up Gerry and headed out for dinner at the Village Inn restaurant.  It was free pie night and the place was mobbed.  We had a 20-25 minute wait to be seated and the wait for our food order was even longer.  The kitchen workers were overwhelmed and could not keep up with the rush.  When the meals were delivered to the table they were tasty as usual.  By this time we were tired and got our pieces of pie to go.  They didn't last long with us, but don't know how long they lasted with Dick & Sue.

That was our day, how was yours?