about the stage coach

The stagecoach played a crucial role in the transportation history of Washington State, bridging the gap between remote settlements and growing towns in the late 19th century. Many of these sturdy, well-crafted vehicles, originally designed by the Abbot-Downing Company in Concord, New Hampshire, became the backbone of early travel in the Pacific Northwest. The Concord style coach is distinct, with an enclosed rounded cabin suspended on roughly 300 feet of leather straps known as “thoroughbraces.” These thoroughbraces allow the coach body to float freely, absorbing bumps in the road. Concord coaches were designed for comfort and featured plush interiors and elaborate detail. Mud wagons were another type of stagecoach used in the Walla Walla area. Mud wagon differed in that their cabins were open rather than enclosed, they were less elaborate, lighter and capable or rough mountain terrain. One original mud wagon is on display at Fort Walla Walla Museum and another is owned by the county fairgrounds.

Early Days of Stagecoach Travel in Washington

Before railroads connected Washington’s cities, stagecoaches were the primary means of long-distance overland travel. In the 1860s and 1870s, as settlers moved into the region, stage lines began forming to connect mining camps, logging towns, and agricultural settlements.

The earliest route serving Walla Walla began in the 1859. It connected Walla Walla, then the largest town in the territory, to Wallula on the Columbia River, where travelers could continue their journey by steamboat. This line played a key role in transporting mail, passengers, and goods across Eastern Washington.

Expansion and Key Routes

As Washington’s population grew, so did the stagecoach routes. By the 1870s and 1880s, stagecoaches were seen on key trails such as:

• The Snoqualmie Pass Route, linking Seattle to the Yakima Valley.

• The Overland Mail Route, which carried mail and passengers between Olympia and Portland.

• The Military Road, connecting Fort Vancouver, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Walla Walla.

Stagecoach operators faced harsh conditions, from steep mountain passes to muddy roads and swollen rivers. Winter travel was particularly treacherous, with deep snow in the Cascades often delaying journeys.

Competition with the Railroad

By the 1880s and 1890s, the rise of the Northern Pacific Railroad and other rail lines began to diminish the need for long-distance stagecoach travel. Towns that had once relied on the Concord stagecoaches now had rail depots, making stage routes obsolete. However, in more remote areas, stagecoaches continued operating into the early 20th century, particularly for mail delivery and short-distance travel.

Legacy of the Stagecoach in Washington

While railroads eventually replaced stagecoaches for most travel, the legacy of the Concord stagecoach remains alive in Washington’s history. Some original coaches can still be seen in museums, such as the Yakima Valley Museum and the Northwest Carriage Museum in Raymond, Washington. Additionally, stagecoach reenactments and historical markers honor the vital role these vehicles played in shaping the state’s development.

The Concord stagecoach era in Washington was somewhat brief but essential, serving as a crucial link in the state’s early infrastructure and helping to lay the foundation for modern transportation systems.

Today, Walla Walla Coach Company strives to bring history to life in an exciting and unforgettable way, with our authentic, concord-style stagecoach.