Other than traveling on foot, horses were the proven method of transportation for centuries. They pulled carts, stagecoaches, covered wagons, and delivery vans. They hauled water tanks, men, and hoses to fires and for a time, speeded pony express riders to their destinations. So why were people so ready to give up horses for cars?

Cars didn’t need feed or water and all you had to do was fill the tank and the car would take you anywhere a road would go. Cars could travel long distances at high speeds without getting tired.

As cars became more affordable, more people selected cars over horses and within a short time cars replaced horses as the basic form of transportation. Where once cars were a novelty, now it’s the horse that has become a rare sight.

Farm tractors and trucks helped increase production of food and speed of delivery of grain to the markets. Farms increased in size and productivity because of better and larger equipment.

The Model T Ford is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car opened travel to the common middle-class American. It was named the world’s most influential car of the 20th century. Henry Ford produced over 15 million of the Model T Fords from 1908 to 1927.

We have a Model T Ford at the Ag Museum for you to view along with many other types of transportation.