This book appears to be a self-published book created by the Conestoga Valley Association. It is a history of the Conestoga River watershed and includes dozens of black and white photos, maps [includes a pull-out reproduction of a map for the Conestoga Navigation Company, which used the Conestoga River as a slackwater canal], reproductions of posters, biographies, and photos of noted Lancastrians of the early years of the twentieth century and more.
ORIGIN OF THE WAGON - EVOLUTION EARLY HISTORY // HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PA. // DEVELOPMENT OF CONESTOGA WAGON FREIGHTER IN COLONIAL AMERICA // LANCASTER OR CONESTOGA HORSE // THE EARLIEST USE OF CONESTOGA WAGONS IN THE COLONIES // THESE THREE WORKED TOGETHER // EARLY ROADS FROM PHILADELPHIA TO LANCASTER // TAVERNS // CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONESTOGA WAGON AND ACCESSORIES // PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH MOTIFS - THEIR ORIGINS AND INTERPRETATIONS // COMMON SAYINGS AND TERMINOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONESTOGA WAGONS
Summary
"Blacksmiths whose backgrounds were from German and Swiss ancestry attained a high degree of skill in making a wagon suited for the poor traveling conditions of the days when roads were no more than ruts through the countryside. The evolution of this vehicle, with its fine proportions and beautifully functional and decorative ironwork , soon became a popular and highly sought-after conveyance that was considered to be essential for the thrifty farmers of southeastern Pennsylvania." [from the introduction]
