Boyd Family Covered Wagon Restoration

Join the Lake County Historical Society (LCHS) in this fundraiser to restore the 1879 Boyd covered wagon, one of the few original covered wagons remaining in South Dakota!

In 1865, newspaperman Horace Greely famously called on the young men of America to “Go West” and go west they did – in droves. Many traveled in covered wagons, including John and Eliza Boyd, who chose what would become Lake County as their final destination. Because of a prairie fire, the couple and their three children, lived in the wagon until a new sod house could be built. This wagon has been in the Lake County Historical Society (LCHS) collection for many years, however time has not been kind to this iconic 144-year old artifact.

The Boyd wagon will be conserved by Mr. Doug Hansen of Hansen Wagon and Wheel in Letcher, SD who is nationally known for restoring historically authentic horse-drawn vehicles for museums, private collectors, and movie sets. The LCHS has already raised over half of the $7000 that is needed for restoration. We need your help to reach our next goal of $3000. Please consider a contribution that will fund this special project!