Covered wagons to be restored for Wellsville's celebrations

By Aaron Falk

December 10, 2004 | WELLSVILLE -- While the city's largest celebration, Founder's Day, is more than nine months away, city officials are already thinking about and making plans for improvements.

Lynn Gunnell, a local craftsman, has been hired by the city to restore four covered wagons during the winter months, so they'll be ready in time for the city's parade next Labor Day, Councilman Dick Wells said.

"He's been designated by the city do the restorations," Wells said of Gunnell. "We've had [the wagons] for some time and they've just continued to deteriorate."

The council unanimously approved Gunnell's hiring last month at the rate of $10 per hour, and at the time Wells said it would be worth the investment.

"I think people recognize that they're something special," he said. "We think they're a very valuable asset."

Wells said the restored wagons will be used in the city's parade as well as a reenactment in the center of town.

"There's a sham battle with Indians and pioneers and the cavalry comes," Wells said. "Actually we have probably 1,500-2,000 people that come to the parade and the celebration that uses the wagons."

While Wells said he isn't sure if the wagons are originals or not, he said they are still valuable and the city will look to take better care of them in the future.

"Part of the dialogue has been, once we get them restored, to put them in a better shed for protection." Wells said.

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