Believe it or not, the horse and buggy has a very interesting history. About 2.7% of the United States’ gross domestic product is attributed to travel and tourism, and the horse and buggy has come a long way in its development and is now being used for buggy tours and other attractions in countless cities.
Concorde Buggy
The Concorde Buggy, originally made in Concord, New Hampshire, is known for its low-hanging sides. It also has side-spring suspension to make it more comfortable for riders.
Stanhope Buggy
The Stanhope Buggy, on the other hand, is known for its higher seats and enclosed back. It was originally named after Captain Hon. Henry FitzRoy Stanhope, who was the son of William Stanhope, a renowned athlete in his era.
Horse And Buggy Rides
Horse drawn carriages were among the most popular forms of transportation between the years of 1815 and 1915. During the same time period, horseback riding itself was growing in popularity but required more specialized skills and expertise. It also seemed to be reserved for the more affluent members of society. It’s also important to note that at this time, the automobile hadn’t yet been mass produced, which made it extremely unaffordable for the vast majority of people.That’s why it was mostly the lower and middle class citizens that took advantage of the benefits of the horse and buggy method of transportation.
According to mnn.com, “The automobilizing of America was inevitable, especially because it soon became cheaper to keep a car. In 1900, only 4,192 cars were sold in the U.S.; by 1912, it was 356,000.”
However, an essay titled From Horse Power to Horsepower explained that “The equine was not replaced all at once, but function by function. Freight haulage was the last bastion of horse-drawn transportation; the motorized truck finally supplanted the horse cart in the 1920s.”
Transition From Horse Carriage Rides To Automobiles
Experts cite 1910 as the year that automobiles finally outnumbered horses and buggies. Nowadays, the Amish still use horse and buggy rides to get around. They’re also popular in New York City in addition to a number of different cities all over the world.
Ultimately, horse and buggy tours have a very rich history, and that makes taking a ride all the more enjoyable. For more information about horse and buggy tours, contact Charleston Carriage Works today.
