This wagon was begun as a personal use vehicle by a man who was just plain tired of draggin' dutch oven's, cooking and camping stuff in and out of the garage, setting it up at the camp, tearing it down when the fun was over, cleaning the dutch oven's and putting it back in the garage and then repeat the process in a few weeks when the mountains looked better than traffic and congestion and the world was closing in at an alarming rate and the need to breath mountain air was the only cure.

Thus, the formation of an idea based on the historical chuck wagon which was first developed by Charles Goodnight in 1866 for use in the cattle drives of that era was made. This modern wagon has the newer version of the basic construction features of the original. These features include:

The "boot", this is the storage area for dutch oven's, pots, pans, skillets, etc. and is mounted under the "chuck box" where food basics and utinsils were stored.

The "cooks work table" hinged upward to make the "chuck box" door when traveling.

"Two days water supply" was contained in a barrel tied to the side of the wagon box; we use a more modern approach with insulated coolers.

The "coonie" was either a box or a cowhide slung under the bed of the wagon box between the wheels where "prairie coal" (buffalo chips) was stored for the next cooking fire. These chips are a little hard to find nowadays so we substitute charcoal in 20-pound bags and the "coonie" is made of steel configured to be part of the supporting structure for the "fire pits".

The "fire pits" combine as the main frame for the wagon and allow for dutch oven cooking on one side of the wagon and a charcoal grill and two burner stove fired by "prairie gas" (propane) at the other side, all very convenient for the cook or "Cookie", AKA, "Beanshooter" etc.

In the front of the wagon was the "jockey box" or "jewelry box" which is used to store tools, ammunition and other necessary stuff, we might sneak in a chainsaw, generator or other modern conveniences, but its plumb handy for sure.

Well, our roof bows are not wood and the canvas has properties of a modern nature to make it more durable and we cheated a little by using the side canvas as an awning, and our coffee grinder is at Starbucks, otherwise we are right pleased with the outcome and Mr. Goodnight would be proud to know how we found his idea so useful today.

While my friend Scott and I were putting this outfit together, almost all visitors to the shop were impressed by what they saw and offered up suggestions for potential users. Well things began to accelerate and the next thing you know a fun project became a business. We now offer the Dutch wagon up for Families, Clubs & Groups, Tailgaters, Outfitters, etc. in 3 model sizes, with all manner of custom options to create a hassle free cooking environment for dutch oven enthusiasts and their like.

Lynn Benson / 801-209-6582 THE DUTCH WAGON