The big cattle drives began after the Civil War and Texan Charles Goodnight realized that they needed a way to carry supplies and cooking equipment. Up until that point everything was carried on horseback. In 1866 he rebuilt a large four wheel army surplus wagon with steel axles that could withstand the hard terrain, adding boxes and shelves and drawers for the cook. A waterproof canvas top was held up by bows.
A sloping box on the rear with hinged lid could be lowered to become the cook’s worktable. Dutch ovens were standard along with water barrels and a suspended canvas or cowhide under the wagon to hold firewood and cow chips. Cowboys were allowed to store personal items and a bedroll in the wagon.
In 1600s England individuals involved in the meat business referred to a lower priced part of the beef carcass as the “chuck” and chuck became a catch-all phrase for good, honest, heart-warming food. On the ranch the hands ate chuck at the chuck house so it was natural that the wagon became known as a chuck wagon. It soon became a standard item on cattle drives and has had few changes ever since. You still see them at cooking competitions and western shows.
From the Legends of America website
* No one eats until Cookie calls
* When Cookie calls, everyone comes a runnin’.
* Cowboys eat first, talk later.
* Hungry cowboys wait for no man. They fill their plates, fill their bellies, and then move on so stragglers can fill their plates
* It’s okay to eat with your fingers. The food is clean.
* If you’re refilling the coffee cup and someone yells “Man at the pot” you’re obliged to serve refills.
* Don’t take the last serving unless you are sure you’re the last man.
* Food left on the plate is an insult to the cook.
* No running or saddling a horse near the wagon. And when you ride off, always ride down wind from the wagon.
* If you come across any decent firewood, bring it back to the wagon
* Strangers are always welcome at the wagon.
You can purchase a new chuck wagon at several places including this one HERE