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Modes of Travel of Yesteryear |
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Evaluations of Accomplishments |
STORY OF THE QUILT SQUARE, MODES OF TRAVEL OF YESTERYEAR, FOR
PROGRESSIVE EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS CLUB FOR HARNETT COUNTY HISTORICAL
QUILT, 1989 "Modes of Travel of Yesteryear" "Modes
of Travel of Yesteryear" is one of three squares entered by the
Progressive Extension Homemakers Club for Harnett County's 1989
Historical Quilt. This
square depicts two of the most common means of travel, the wagon and the
buggy, used by the average citizen at the time Harnett was formed in
1855. Their use was also extended well into the first quarter of the
twentieth century. The
wagon of many sizes and colors, the buggy, plain and fancy, were drawn
by one or more horses or mules. Primarily, the wagon was used for
hauling purposes like merchandise supplies, farm produce, food, farm
implements, firewood, furniture, etc., and when not used for hauling
supplies, the family transported themselves to church, to public
gatherings, to school, to entertainment centers, and to other places of
interest in the wagon. When
cotton was King, the farmer hauled hand picked cotton from the fields to
the gin for baling, and once baled, to market for sale. It was not until
after WWI that the automotive truck, known as the "pick-up",
replaced the wagon, and became cheap enough and plentiful enough for
general public use. Of all the makes there are today, Ford was the
first. At
one time in this era, manufacturing and sale of wagons was big business,
especially in nearby Carthage in Moore County, and in Dunn, in our own
county of Harnett. When
one wanted a more sedate and comfortable means of travel, the buggy for
short distances was the choice. Rubber tires, padded seats with springs,
upholstered in leather, velvet or satin, made any spin most delightful.
Most average families owned a buggy, with or without a top, with either
plain or fancy trappings. The affluent might own a carriage, a
two-seater, enclosed with doors on both sides, or an open air two-seat
surrey with fringe on top. Generally,
the doctor in one's community was the first to own a fine buggy and a
spirited horse. For him, it was essential in his practice. However, it
was only a short while before the lawyers thought likewise and even
courting swains became enamored. By
the early twenties, when Ford had perfected the Model T and several
million had been sold, the buggy vanished to a collector's site, and the
wagon became a scarce object. A new day had arrived! An average car
could be purchased for only $720 in 1932, one cheap enough anyone could
afford during the Great Depression. This
square was designed, appliquéd, and embroidered by Evelyn Byrd, a
member of the Summerville Extension Homemakers Club for the Progressive
Club. Source:
World Book Encyclopedia -1933 Automotive -p. 537 Written
by: Evelyn Byrd, Member of Summerville Extension Homemakers Club For:
Progressive Extension Homemakers Club Quilt
Square: Row 2, Number 9 |
