Before we left Davidson, SK, we stopped to take a look at and read the history of this horse-drawn dump wagon that was used in laying the bed for highway 11.
These wagons would have been pulled by four to eight horses and were used extensively to build road beds from the 1800’s to the 1930’s.
The large arch at the front of the wagon allowed for very sharp turns.
It’s believed that the last contract for the entire outfit (which consisted of at least 24 of these wagons) , was around 1930 for the construction of highway 11 between Hanley, SK, and Dundurn, SK.
As we studied this wagon, I couldn’t help thinking about how much my Dad would have appreciated this history. In the mid to late 1950’s, my Dad, being a skilled cat operator, built the majority of the rural roads around our home community.
“Roads are a record of those who have gone before.”
Rebecca Solnit
Radically Retired 
It’s kind of hard to fathom that not really that long ago this is how roads were made. Interesting that the arch was incorporated for the very sharp turns. Perhaps sharp turns were needed often when building roads? And I guess it was called a dump wagon because it dumped rock? The wooden wheels are very interesting!
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You’re right, Betty. So many things that we take for granted were built without modern equipment or technology. My guess is that sharp turns would be needed to turn around to go the opposite direction because there wouldn’t have been much turnaround space. From what I remember my Dad telling me, road beds are made from gravel and sand, so this what the wagon would have been used for. The chain and spool system you see on the wagon was used to open and close the bottom dump doors. My Dad built an authentic buggy, right down to making the wooden wheels. The process, especially the bending of the wood, is very interesting. Thanks for reading and commenting, Betty! Enjoy your Thursday!
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