A good example of early transportation, this wonderful model based on the Kootenay lake Sternwheeler SS Argenta was Made and Donated to the BC Farm Museum by Colin Holt.
Stern Wheel Boats were used in BC rivers because they carried a maximum of freight and could navigate in 3ft of water. They played a significant role in the history of BC.
“KR&N – Mirror Lake
The first ship built at the Mirror Lake shipyard, the SS Argenta launched in 1900, was a utilitarian vessel compared to the next project, the SS Kaslo completed in 1901. The shipyard, which built and maintained boats for the Kootenay Railway and Navigation Company, was a small yard consisting of a few sheds and an office. The shipyard was located between the shore of Kootenay Lake and the small body of water known as Mirror Lake.”
Some very interesting history of The SternWheeler Companies of Kootnay Lake can be found at Sternwheelers of kootney Lake
Some information on our Victoria Carriage:
Brewster Carriage Company, New York, NY
Manufactured in 1902 Serial #: 24124
donated by the Nordman Family in 2006.
This Victoria phaeton (a light, four-wheeled open carriage, usually drawn by a pair of horses) is a three spring, panel-boot carriage that was built for and shipped by train to C.A. Low of Sharon, Connecticut, USA.
It eventually made its way to Langley BC when it was purchased by a local magistrate for a lady friend. Later it sat in a shed in the Bradner area for many years before it was acquired by Carl Allan Nordman of Fort Langley. It then sat for 55 years in Al’s workshop.
The Brewster Carriage Company was started in 1810 by James Brewster. By 1911 it had abandoned carriages entirely and moved from Manhattan to Long Island City, New York to build bodies for cars like Rolls Royce.
The Victoria is one of the most elegant of all carriages and was extremely popular among well-to-do families. It is thought the design originated in England in the mid 19th century and perhaps, derives from the phaeton built for King George IV.
The Victoria could be pulled by either a single or a team of horses. It has one seat for two passengers and a coachman’s seat. This is a panel boot Victoria, having a box framed driver’s seat allowing for storage. This carriage came with Goodyear rubber on the wooden wheels. Most Brewster carriages were custom built with the buyer selecting the options available.
The BC Museum is grateful to the Langley Heritage Society for their financial support which assisted in the restoration of this carriage to its original splendor.
Other early covered wagons:
This is how your milk was delivered to your house. It is one of the last door to door services used in Vancouve BC