Do we always romanticize those things that are of an era gone by? Well, perhaps. I think there is something super romantic about a stage coach, and it's probably because I never did ride one over any bumpy Western roads, was never attacked by road bandits, and never had to worry about gold bullions stacked in the back.

Going into the Seeley Stables, which have been reconstructed, brings the age of the 1850's when the stagecoach was the workhorse of industry, and to a lesser extent, that era's volkswagen. The very first horse drawn "carriage" on display was a shiny, simply built 4 wheeler which was the most popular of its day, and affordable enough at $24 so that most families owned one.

The "Concord" coach which was manufactured in New Hampshire to specification was used by Wells Fargo so as to withstand road and weather conditions over its thousands of line miles. The stables are named after Alfred Seeley who had been commissioned in the 1850's to run a mail line between San Diego and Los Angeles. It was at that time that the business of stage coaches flourished to carry just about everything from point A to point B. The demise of the stage coach was precipitated by the advent of the railroad and its ensuing success.

The Cadillac of the stage coaches can be found toward the rear of the museum, and it's a beauty. It was built to have all the amenities inside, much like those oversized hideous stretch limousines, and provide privacy at the same time. The entire "demeanor" of the stagecoach says :" if you have to ask how much I cost, move on".

We also saw various harnesses and saddles, but the most interesting of the displays were the coaches and the various coffers on the floor next to them which were used to carry the valuables. I think it would be lovely if they'd allow people to climb in.

The following are some sites you'll enjoy looking at:

San Diego History
Concord Coaches
Conestoga Wagons
Have Them Build One For You!
Get that era lingo!