Before there were teardrops...19th century camping

Anything to do with camping, fundamentals, secrets, etc...

Before there were teardrops...19th century camping

Postby jopasm » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:53 pm

Since I haven't been able to camp much lately due to the demands of school and jobs (sigh), I've been reading a lot of "classic" camping manuals. Bushcraft/primitive skills/whatever-you-call-it is another interest of mine, so I've been particularly looking for old camping manuals (old as in, pre-1910). I stumbled across "Prairie Traveler" today - this is a manual published in 1859 by the Army Signal Corps to help travellers moving west. It covers paths to take, supplies, choosing a spot to overnight, and lots of other topics (including how to make mule steak more palatable). I thought it might be interesting to some of the folk here. Here's the link to the PDF:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/downloads/pdf/prairietraveler%5B1%5D.pdf

Woodcraft and Camping by George W. Sears (who wrote under the pen-name Nessmuk) is also available from the same source.
-----
Jonathan
someday-teardrop owner
User avatar
jopasm
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 36
Images: 1
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:21 am
Location: North Carolina

Postby Mauleskinner » Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:36 pm

Cool, thanks! 8)
User avatar
Mauleskinner
The 300 Club
 
Posts: 350
Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:57 pm
Location: Southern MN

Postby FrodoBaggins » Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 am

Interesting, I'll check it out.
User avatar
FrodoBaggins
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 15
Images: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:38 pm
Top

Postby Todah Tear » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:36 pm

Very cool. Some of the information is timeless.

Back when I had a lot of spare time, I would do a lot of estate sale shopping and visit different antique/old 2nd hand stores. I loved reading old manuals or looking through old magazines and reading articles about the lastest technological product of that time period.

Todah
"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." Proverbs 19:2 Image
User avatar
Todah Tear
Platinum Donating Member
 
Posts: 1723
Images: 282
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:30 pm
Location: Texas
Top

Postby prohandyman » Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:11 pm

I loved reading old manuals or looking through old magazines and reading articles about the lastest technological product of that time period.

I am with you. While I do not have any pre-1910 material, I do have several copies of a book called "Sportsman's Year Book" dated in the 30's and 40's, chronicling camping, hunting and fishing tips. I also have a one titled "Outdoor Life - Fishing, Hunting and camping guide", dated 1942.
Really cool reading.
Dan
155200 Facebook group 164774163701
User avatar
prohandyman
Super Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 1919
Images: 785
Joined: Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:21 pm
Location: Greenwood, IN
Top

Postby Shadow Catcher » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:30 pm

My first degree is in anthropology and i have always been interested in historical archeology and primarily the gold mining camps in California.
i will be forwarding both links to Nancy, she teaches fourth grade history and there is some good material here. Thanks very much.
User avatar
Shadow Catcher
Donating Member
 
Posts: 5993
Images: 234
Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:26 pm
Location: Metamora, OH
Top

Postby Larwyn » Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:46 pm

Thanks for the link. I spent most of the evening reading the prairie traveler link. I am now well brushed up on buffalo hunting and avoiding conflict with Indians. Fascinating reading.
Larwyn

Keeper of the Most Out Of Control Shop (2005)

I feel bad for the man that cannot spell a word more than one way. Mark Twain
User avatar
Larwyn
Mad Kilted Texan
 
Posts: 1658
Images: 210
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2004 12:06 pm
Location: Kerrville, Texas
Top

Postby Todah Tear » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:14 pm

Larwyn wrote:... and avoiding conflict with Indians. Fascinating reading.


Larwyn you should be safe...you are in Cowboy territory :lol: .

Todah
"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." Proverbs 19:2 Image
User avatar
Todah Tear
Platinum Donating Member
 
Posts: 1723
Images: 282
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:30 pm
Location: Texas
Top

Postby Otto13 » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:19 am

:thumbsup: Thoroughly enjoyed reading your link! Thanks! :applause:
Otto13
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 45
Images: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:34 pm
Location: So Cal Mountains
Top

Postby jhb » Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:56 pm

Of course, teardropping was invented in the 1800s. They called them covered wagons back then and the tow vehicle usually ate grass rather than gas. But you had your galley in the back and could bed down in the front, and you lived out doors. And the land looked a lot like this: http://picasaweb.google.com/jhbonnett/NorthwestUtah#
So here is to the BLM for letting us camp in places like this. :thumbsup:
John B.
I'd rather be camping.
User avatar
jhb
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 516
Images: 4
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:36 pm
Location: Los Osos, CA
Top


Return to Camping Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests