The Appalachian Wagon Train is like a “big family” according to Dick Stewart, president of the train. That is especially true of the Nissel family of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County.
“It is a big challenge because we have a large family,” said Kelly Nissel. “We have a total of nine children and six horses with us. It is a lot of work getting prepared to go out on the trail every day. We all work together as a family.”
The Appalachian Wagon Train was started in 1970 as a tribute to the early pioneers.
The wagon train is an annual family-oriented event focusing attention on a historical site or event that took place in the Appalachian region of Pennsylvania. Rules have been established to make the trip an enjoyable experience for both the participant and the onlooker.
The group travels with its own support including chuck wagon, souvenir wagon, port-a-johns and water.
Stewart recalled, “I have known about the train all my life and I always told myself I wanted to do this someday. One of these days never came. In 2000 they went from Ford City to Dayton where I live. I had the wagon, we put a top on it and we went. Once I did it, that was it, I was hooked.”
This year’s wagon train camped on a three-acre field at the Dixon Corner County Store north of Brookville.
“I have seen a time when this three-acre field wouldn’t have been big enough to hold everyone. We needed a minimum of 10 acres. A lot of it is because of COVID. We have half dozen wagons in Franklin and they didn’t come because of the virus,” Stewart said.
This year the train had 16 wagons and 25 riders.
“This is a big family,” said Stewart. “The day we started they welcomed us in with open arms. It is good clean fun. I own several businesses and this just slows life right down to three miles an hour.”
Camping is an attraction but the people come for the daily trek. They get up early, tend to the animals and then hook up the wagons. By 8 a.m. they are on the road. Throughout the week they will travel about 100 miles. On one recent Tuesday they did about 17 miles.
The route is carefully selected and this year, unlike other years, they returned to Dixon Corners every night.
“This is really the first time we’ve planned to do it this way,” Stewart said.
The routes are very rural and avoid traffic.
For some members of the train, the trek is something more.
“My husband and I both joined in 1972,” said Sis Crosby. “That’s how we met. You meet a lot of nice people and you create a new family. We have friends here we have known for 50 years.”
Crosby, of Ebensburg, explained, “You don’t have to have own your own horse or wagon to join the Appalachian Wagon Train. You can come and just camp as long as you pay your dues.”
When the train completes its loop it is back to camp.
“We come in at night and circle the wagons because that was what the pioneers did to protect themselves from attacks,” said Stewart.
That is when the games begin. One selected night was kid’s night.
“It was raining but they didn’t care. They were muddy and dirty but that was fine. They’ll clean up,” said Stewart.
Nancy Fogarty of Minot, North Dakota, was raised near Indiana, Pa., and rode the wagon train with her father who passed away last year at the age of 99.
“My sister has a wagon here and I decided to ride with her,” she said.
The overnight accommodations vary.
“Some of the people are more authentic than others,” said Stewart. “Some sleep in tents and sleeping bags and others sleep in their trailers. When I first started I slept in my wagon and the kids slept in the horse trailer on a mattress in the gooseneck.”
Many people on the train are also dressed in pioneer clothing to keep their appearance as authentic as possible.
Next year the train will be at the Flying W Ranch near Tionesta on State Game Lands starting on Father’s Day.