Here’s another look at an image I posted quite a while ago. I really like this photo. These Scottish Travellers give a glimpse of some less-than-stereotypical living waggons (sic). Very few wanderers could afford the classic Dunton Reading wagon but made do with more affordable accommodations; possibly even owner-built.
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. Click HERE for the source.
All three of the caravans pictured have mollycrofts for light and air but are of a pretty simple variety. I am struck by the one on the right mostly by how plain it is (plank siding without exposed ribs) and it’s very small proportions. I suspect there were many more of this variety than the elite, custom-built wagons on the roads in Britain in the heyday.
Here’s a very early camper vehicle. Side boxes for storage, slide out drawer for a work surface, kitchen, and table. Simple framing holds up mosquito netting and closes down with roll-up canvas walls.
I’m always keeping an eye out on the web for interesting living vehicles, rolling homes, and related Traveller – Modern Nomad stuff. The right key words and a little luck on historic image sites land a lot of photos, but often with little real information about the vehicle in question. As I was rummaging through my old image files over the weekend I decided to start throwing some of the images up here; for inspiration and ideas if nothing else. Where possible, I’ve linked to the source where I found it.
This is an interesting conversion for a Carnival or Circus worker. Wood burning stove, mollycroft, and transom windows. I like it.I’ve posted this innovative little beast on Facebook.
I like this early fifth-wheel design for several reasons, not the least of which is the hitch. This is the earliest image I have of a “slide-out” expandable space. I suspect they actually fold up but they already deal with increasing space while keeping the traveling width narrow. The final feature is the dogtrot effect created by the opposing doors. I think this caravan was built with summer travel in mind.
Recycled “canned-ham” caravan.Interesting propulsion. Looks like post-apocalyptic servitude?Atkisson’s Wagon.
The above wagon aesthetic has a Persian feel to the decorations. From the pillows right down to the slippers. Click the photo for an article about this wagon.
Okay, I just posted this cool little goat wagon as I would have loved this as a kid. Who wouldn’t? There is a clear attention to detail on this one down to the wheel spokes and fine paint work. Apparently there is some tie to Kansas City. Maybe a carriage maker’s model?
And finally, the best part of all… exploring a 1914 Dunton Waggon, Part 1 with historian John Pokkett. You can find the next parts on Youtube if they don’t auto-follow.
In under ten minutes! Well, watch it being done anyway. Here’s a well-edited and excellent overview building a vardo from the ground up. I don’t know this guy at all but I love the video. I think it’s Canadian (for you Jim).
A Tumblr follower spotted my interest in sheep wagons and other classic mobile lifestyles. They sent me this excellent link to a short (20 minute) documentary from faircompanies.com. It’s a nice overview of sheep wagon design old and new by a couple making and selling old-fashioned Sheep Camps.
And here are a few older posts I’ve made about the American sheep wagons. They’re all you need out here in the west. Click the photos to learn more.
A Sheep Wagon in a Modern SettingGrowing Up in a Sheep WagonA Sheepherder Wagon CommunitySheep Camps are Alive and Well in the West
Have a look at a little bit of nearly lost American history.
Here are a few interesting trailers from the Golden Age. I hesitated to post these some time ago as I could not rediscover the website they came from. I try my best to attribute images to their source. Tools like Pinterest and Tumblr are great but the data is easily stripped away.
This is interesting stuff but I wish we had a glimpse inside these creatures “in use.” It’s easy to stage a photo but I appreciate it when we can see how the space is actually used.
The awning or tent is the best addition you can make to your Vardo home. Look for more great vintage images here on the Old Picture of the Day Blog.
Classic sheep wagon; Dutch door, wash pan hanging out of the way but handy, and an offset door.
I love these old sheep camps. There are many on ranches from New Mexico to Idaho and beyond in old sheep and cattle country. They aren’t highway capable but it seems they could provide a real housing alternative for low-income minimalists. For many of us, living this way would be far better than a housing complex or apartment.
Cook stove and kitchen box.
I took a fair amount of design inspiration from these wagons but added a bit of class along the way. I wouldn’t mind having a cook stove like this one though.
A nice stove cap. I need to make something classy like this some time.
Off-the-shelf or build it yourself? I love these details in hand-built structures. This stove pipe cap has a classy look.
A double bed, cooking area, and a place to relax out of the weather. The essentials are covered.
A short piece about Lorna’s wagon can be found here on the Tiny House Blog.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 