Open Range Chuckwagon

The open range chuckwagon not only served as mobile camp kitchen for trail drives, spring and fall roundups but was basically a range cowboy's home away from home. On trail drives and roundups the chuckwagon carried provisions enough to feed a dozen men. Cowboys would proudly proclaim: "I follow the Bar U, the Lazy H or the Rocking P wagon." They had passionate loyalty to their outfit, represented by their brand and their chuckwagon. They would be as happy to brag about their camp cook's meals and desserts as the exploits of their top riders. The chuckwagon cook put in longer hours than any other men on a crew, getting up at 3 am to have breakfast prepared before the sun rose and would still be cleaning up well after the men crawled into their bedrolls. This same chuckwagon is now celebrating its 100th anniversary of racing at the Calgary Stampede.