Main Street Museum
Stagecoaches
Wells Fargo launched their stagecoach business and participated in the Pony Express beginning in 1855. Ordered in 1871 and delivered on April 1st, 1872 this Wells Fargo Stagecoach #402 is one of three that were produced. Weighing 2500 lbs. and measuring only 50 inches inside, the stagecoach was designed to accommodate twelve passengers, compared to the typical coach that holds nine.
Ledger of Wells Fargo Stagecoach #397, #398, #402
Wells Fargo Stagecoach #402
Travel to Yellowstone increased significantly when the railroad arrived in 1881. In 1884 a stagecoach line was developed and became the primary means of travel within the park, to accommodate for the increase in visitors. Arriving by train, travelers would embark on a multi-day "Grand Loop" tour of the park aboard these bright yellow coaches. The largest of these vehicles, six-horse "Tally-Ho" stagecoaches, transported train passengers to the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel just inside the northern entrance. Smaller four-horse "Observation Wagons" were used for the Grand Loop tour. Eventually, in 1917, Stagecoach use was stopped and buses replaced them.
Main Street Museum is proud to feature an original Yellowstone Stagecoach. Forty-five coaches were originally created and this is one of only ten that remain.
Yellowstone Stagecoach
1900's Ambulance