I recently endured celebrated my fiftieth birthday. As a gift, my father gave me this wagon that he’s had for many years. It was originally made by Dad’s uncle, Art Nelson near Brainerd, Minnesota, sometime in the 60’s. I used to look at it when I was a kid and it was one of my favorite things.
Art was a carpenter and making these was his hobby. When he passed away I was about 14. I remember going to the wake and the guys all gathered in Art’s workshop. It was tidy and warm and there were dozens of wagons like this on shelves – all different. I have no idea what happened to them all.