Shetlar Wagon

This freight wagon, bought by Harold Reeve in about 1930, was the last new wagon sold by the Sandburg Mercantile in Hurricane, Utah. Goods were hauled to the people in Hurricane from the nearest railroad in Lund, Utah, 35 miles northwest of Cedar City. Several 900-pound sacks of wool per load were hauled from the Gould’s Shearing Corral to the railroad, and wood from Little Creek Mountain and Mount Trumball was hauled to Hurricane. A team of large Percheron horses pulled the 16-foot by 6-foot wagon. The original color of the wagon was light brown.

In later years, the wagon was used for parades on the Fourth of July, Pioneer Day, and Peach Days. Through the years, the wagon has carried many people, including the mayor; city council; and groups from the Sons of Utah Pioneers, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, high school class reunions; and various musical performers.

About 1990, Harold Reeve’s son, Ashby, made the wagon available for display in the yard of the Heritage Park Museum. The agreement allowed Ashby to use the wagon for parades. The horses were later sold, and the wagon, a valuable part of Hurricane history, has not been used in a parade for many years. A ride that now takes about an hour was a five-day trip in a wagon like this.

May future generations better understand the early history of Hurricane and the contributions made by its citizens.

This is Sons of Utah Pioneers historic marker #165 (see other S.U.P. markers here) located at the Heritage House Pioneer Center / Heritage Park / Museum at the Bradshaw House-Hotel at 85 South Main Street in Hurricane, Utah.