Saddler, Carpenter & Wheelwright

The saddler had a wide range of tools to use for his work.

NPS Photo

Post records indicate that this middle room in the Shops Building was used for several different activities. The employees who most often used it were the saddler, carpenter and wheelwright. All three of these men were usually civilian quartermaster employees.

The saddler was reponsible for repairing, or making, anything made of leather. This included repairs to saddles, bridles, halters, and other leather equipment found on the cavalryman’s horse; harnesses used by horses and mules when pulling wagons; packsaddles used by horses and mules to transport supplies and equipment; leather belts, holsters, rifle slings, boots, and shoes' as we; as well as the leather on the lacksmith shop’s big billows.

He also made items such as looped cartridge belts, dispatch cases, and items which either he designed or others requested, based on need or want.

The carpenter and wheelwright took care of all woodwork and wagon repair for the post. The carpenter was responsible for all lumber repair work, built and repaired wagon wheels and wagon boxes, as well as any other work with wood. The wheelwright maintained the wagons, and as the post sail maker, repaired the wagon covers and army tents.