Cobb and Co

Description

Open Edition Reproduction

Imagine you are in Longreach, about 1850. Travel is by horse, cart, or the occasional European coach that was poorly adapted to Australian conditions.

Enter an American, Freeman Cobb, with a coach riding on heavy leather straps for less jolting and more comfort. Then followed by a wide network, offering greater frequency and variety of routes. Hence Cobb and Co Stagecoaches, Changing horses regularly for faster transit. Travel on the top came cheaper, but perhaps wetter.

Occasionally held up by the odd bushranger. How did they direct the horses? Note the split reins, each rein going the respective side of each horse’s head. Pull the rein, the head turns to the side of the rein pulled, and the horse turns that way. Simple?