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Northwest Carriage Museum: Some open carriages (photo diary) [1]

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Date: 2025-09-08

The Northwest Carriage Museum in Raymond, Washington has several open carriages. Some of these are buggies: light one-horse carriages.

1880 Coal Box Buggy

In American terminology, a buggy is a carriage that carries only two people. This Coal Box Buggy was built in 1880 by Ottis Oten in Manchester, Ontario, Canada.

Turn-Under Seat Trap

In English usage, the term trap was a generic term for a small pleasure carriage. American carriage builders in the 1880s began to use the term to describe a phaeton with two seats.

The Turn-Under Seat Trap was a carriage, sold as a “Combination Buggy”, was made by C.H. Stratton who manufactured carriages from 1872 to 1913.

Sociable Vis-à-vis

According to the Museum:

“Vis-à-vis means ‘face to face’ in French. In carriages, it refers to the seating arrangement. The Socialable Vis-à-Vis was originally a ladies’ carriage, but was later used in many European cities as a taxi type vehicle. Originally designed in France in the 18th century, the Vis-à-Vis was a two seat vehicle, much narrower and lighter. It eventually evolved into a wider vehicle. In America, Vis-à-Vis became known as Sociables.”

Fringe Top Surrey

This carriage was made by Belie Carriage Co., Moline, Illinois. According to the Museum:

“The Surrey is a popular American family carriage that developed late in the Carriage Era. Surreys had the space to carry large groups of people and were a more affordable vehicle for families with a modest income.”

Wagonette Body Break

This style of carriage was introduced into England about 1842 by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria.

Roof Seat Break

This carriage was made by Chicago Coach & Carriage Co. in the 1890s. According to the Museum:

“Used as a pleasure or hunting wagon. This vehicle would carry up to four people into town, or country drives, or hunting trips. A perfect vehicle for going through high grass while bird hunting. The back seat can be removed easily for converting the vehicle into a delivery wagon. It also has an unusual storage area, under the driver’s floorboard, which would be used for storing gear and tools.”

Top Buggy

This carriage was made by the Carriage Works in Oakland, Oregon.

Jump-Seat Top Buggy

According to the Museum:

“The jump seat is an innovative design that came around in the middle of the 1800s. It is made to fold flat on the floor, with the main seat resting on top of it. This makes the trunk in the back accessible. If a second seat is needed instead of storage, the main seat shifts to the back of the buggy, and the jump seat is put into the ‘up’ position.”

Note: These photographs were taken on October 11, 2024.

More Museum Exhibits

Northwest Carriage Museum: Some closed carriages (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: Some two-wheel carriages (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: Landau carriages (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: A couple of Phaetons (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: A couple of Broughams (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: Studebaker carriages (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: Stagecoach and road coach (photo diary)

Northwest Carriage Museum: Carriage Maker's Shop (museum exhibit)

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