Chuckwagon History

Charles Goodnight is credited with inventing the chuckwagon. In 1866 he and his partner, Oliver Loving, made prepartations to take a herd of 2,000 longhorn cattle from near Fort Belknap in northern Texas, to Denver, CO. Goodnight purchased a government wagon and had it completely rebuilt according to his specifications in seasoned bois d'arc, the toughest wood available.

The distinguishing feature of the wagon was the sloping box on the rear with a hinged lid that lowered to become a cook's worktable. The box was fitted to the width of the wagon and contained shelves and drawers for holding food and utensils. To the cowboys, "chuck" was food, so the box was called a chuck box and the wagon became known as a chuckwagon.

Goodnight's early prototype of the chuckwagon was copied widely and changed little in the years to follow. Most chuckwagons had the same basic design. They were large, sturdy, four-wheeled wagons with bows across the top coverd with waterproof sheets. There was usually a cowhide stretched beneath the wagon bed and fastened at the corners; it was used to carry wood or cow chips. In the front of some of the wagons was a jockey box, which was used for storing tools and heavier equipment needed on the trail.

For more information on the interesting life of Charles Goodnight please visit Charles Goodnight Biography.