Banning Museum Stagecoach Challenge

Photos: Simie Seaman / Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop

The Banning Museum’s stagecoach (Challenge) is a reproduction of a coach that was built in Wilmington in 1867 for Phineas Banning. Banning used stagecoaches like this one to transport passengers and mail between Wilmington and Los Angeles and then on to other destinations around southern California. Banning had the original Challenge built in his Union Wagon Factory located in Wilmington and based its design on the famed Abbot and Downing Concord stagecoaches that conquered the east and then the western American frontier.

Abbot and Downing Concord Stagecoaches were taller and wider than any other coaches. Each one was numbered and custom made and weighed 2,500 pounds each. They also featured big fitted wheels and long spokes so they were able to get through mud and deep rutted roads. The suspension was their most popular and unique feature. The leather thorough-braces held up the coach body suspending it and creating a cradle effect for the passengers. The price range was between $1,000 and $1,500 and was available in 6, 9, or 12 passenger models.

Our stagecoach (9 passenger model) was based on a newspaper article that describes the coach in detail. We used the description to recreate our coach with every detail that the article could give us. Our coach is colored straw-yellow and has the name Challenge on the boards near the driver’s seat. The name Banning & Co. is over the door ways, and both doors feature fruit baskets as the article indicates. The leather and interior fabric (trimming) is also based on the articles observations. Recreating the Challenge has set us apart from all of the other stagecoaches in the state.

Hanson Wheel & Wagon Shop

The Challenge was built by Hanson Wheel and Wagon Shop of South Dakota. They are the premier builders of authentic, horse drawn vehicles. Doug Hansen, owner has done extensive research and documentation on historic vehicles for museums and private collectors.

The Wilmington Journal, April 6, 1867: "There is at present being manufactured in this establishment, an entirely new stage coach, Concord swelled body said the first that was ever manufactured on the Pacific Coast. This new vehicle bears the name “Challenge” and is being finished in the highest artistic style. The external coloring is yellow and gilt. It is trimmed with russet leather and laid off in diamonds and shell work. The entire workmanship in wood, iron, painting and trimming reflects great credit upon all who have been engaged in its manufacturing."

The Banning Museum would like to recognize Bill Muller for spearheading the Challenge project. He's efforts to have the stagecoach built is a testament to his commitment to the Museum, where it is now proudly on display and stands as his legacy.

The Banning Residence Museum is open to the public. For more information, visit the museum website at www.banningmuseum.org.The Banning Museum is a facility of the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks and is operated in cooperation with the Friends of Banning Museum. The Banning Museum is a City, State and National Landmark.