Winona Wagon Co. Staked Reputation on Quality

By David Sneed
Published on July 27, 2009
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Winona was one of a select few major manufacturers that built and sold sheep herder wagons.
Winona was one of a select few major manufacturers that built and sold sheep herder wagons.
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This early illustration shows the heavy-duty features of a Winona mountain wagon, including the use of riveted spokes, California tire rivets, ironclad hubs, outer bearing axles, steel skeins and an overlapping reach.
This early illustration shows the heavy-duty features of a Winona mountain wagon, including the use of riveted spokes, California tire rivets, ironclad hubs, outer bearing axles, steel skeins and an overlapping reach.
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This early catalog image and the previous image show how visually impressive Winona’s “outer bearing” axle could be. A large section has been cut from the rear axle of a Winona wagon and from a competitor’s wagon. Even with a much smaller load of lumber, the competitor’s wagon (previous image) shows signs of the axle sagging and the wheels leaning inward under the strain.
This early catalog image and the previous image show how visually impressive Winona’s “outer bearing” axle could be. A large section has been cut from the rear axle of a Winona wagon and from a competitor’s wagon. Even with a much smaller load of lumber, the competitor’s wagon (previous image) shows signs of the axle sagging and the wheels leaning inward under the strain.
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This early catalog image and the next image show how visually impressive Winona’s “outer bearing” axle could be. A large section has been cut from the rear axle of a Winona wagon and from a competitor’s wagon. Even with a much smaller load of lumber, the competitor’s wagon (this image) shows signs of the axle sagging and the wheels leaning inward under the strain.
This early catalog image and the next image show how visually impressive Winona’s “outer bearing” axle could be. A large section has been cut from the rear axle of a Winona wagon and from a competitor’s wagon. Even with a much smaller load of lumber, the competitor’s wagon (this image) shows signs of the axle sagging and the wheels leaning inward under the strain.
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This early Winona Wagon Co. promotional photo shows the significant strength and structural integrity provided by the outer bearing axles.
This early Winona Wagon Co. promotional photo shows the significant strength and structural integrity provided by the outer bearing axles.
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This vintage illustration shows the positioning of Winona’s “outer bearing” on the front axle. Other makers were quick to adopt variations of this concept but none had this specific patented Winona feature.
This vintage illustration shows the positioning of Winona’s “outer bearing” on the front axle. Other makers were quick to adopt variations of this concept but none had this specific patented Winona feature.
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This original catalog view shows how the placement of the innovative “outer bearing” iron block balances more of the load on the wheel and less on the axle.
This original catalog view shows how the placement of the innovative “outer bearing” iron block balances more of the load on the wheel and less on the axle.
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Winona furthered its rugged western reputation by tying the company name and legacy to the purported
Winona furthered its rugged western reputation by tying the company name and legacy to the purported "Legend of the Indian Maiden Wenonah."
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Today, most surviving Winona wagons will be at least 80 to 100 years old. This contemporary photo shows a nice Winona chuck wagon set up for competition.
Today, most surviving Winona wagons will be at least 80 to 100 years old. This contemporary photo shows a nice Winona chuck wagon set up for competition.
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This original Winona spring seat retains the faded remnants of the Winona American Indian maiden image. The likeness is positioned within the oval just to the left of the brand name.
This original Winona spring seat retains the faded remnants of the Winona American Indian maiden image. The likeness is positioned within the oval just to the left of the brand name.
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Avoiding the time-consuming and costly expense of hand painting elaborate logos on the sideboards of each wagon, pre-printed art transfers were applied to early 20th century Winona wagons.
Avoiding the time-consuming and costly expense of hand painting elaborate logos on the sideboards of each wagon, pre-printed art transfers were applied to early 20th century Winona wagons.

By the time I rolled into western Oklahoma, I had been driving long enough that I was ready to stretch my legs.

Unfortunately, the cool comfort blowing from the truck’s air conditioner hadn’t prepared me for the Panhandle’s furnace of summer heat. Once I got out of the cab, the heat hit me with a vengeance and, with no clouds in sight, the sun quickly bore through my thinning head of hair.

Almost immediately, my local guide pointed out that we needed to walk “over there.” I looked down his finger and, for a moment, felt like getting back in the truck. His direction pointed to an overgrown, snaky and undoubtedly tick-thick field. I was suddenly reminded why my family doesn’t particularly enjoy all of my wagon-themed expeditions. They’ve learned, the hard way, that locating many of these forgotten treasures can come with unwelcome surprises.

On this particular quest, I was on a detour from another wagon-related journey. An acquaintance had asked if I could help identify the crumbled remains of an old wagon and I couldn’t resist the challenge. As we made our way through the waist-high grass and brush, I wondered why I hadn’t remembered to bring bug spray. Along with a camera, bottled water and notepad, it’s standard procedure for about any outdoor research excursion.

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