By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Photos by EAN or Contributed by Forney Trailer Blazers Saddle Club
This year marks the 52nd year that the Alabama Wagon Train, with mostly mule-powered wagons, and horse riders will begin in Centre, Alabama and make the 185-mile trek to the Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.
While the Alabama Wagon Train might not have the numbers of years gone by, there is a hardy group that comes not just from Alabama, but from all over the country to take part. Organizers this year are trying to get the word out that the event is still running and hopes to grow the numbers of participants.
Over the years, different areas in Elmore County have been popular stopping points for overnight camping on the last leg to Montgomery. This year, the Wagon Train, organized by the Forney Trail Blazers Saddle Club will spend the night in Santuck on the final night of the journey.
There have been many different branches participating over the years. Some of those no longer take part. At one point it was feared the Wagon Train event would cease to exist at all, and a Farewell Ride was held.
However, the Forney Trail Blazers Saddle Club is participating again this year, and they claim to be the first group that organized the ride 52 years ago. They were officially honored and recognized by the City of Montgomery and the SLE Rodeo for their 50th anniversary in 2023.
Fortunately, groups like the Forney Trail Blazers have done their part to keep it going. They are welcoming of anyone who wants to meet up with them along the way, or sponsors who wish to help with expenses. Organizers say it is very common for some wagon participants to join in for a day, or two, or as long as they can.
But for those who make it through the entire journey, the Garrett Coliseum is a beautiful sight to behold, for a bit of well-deserved rest, relaxation and Rodeo!
Depending on the weather, it can be a treacherous journey mostly along back roads and dirt roads, trying to stay away from heavy traffic as much as possible.
Todd Hill is one of the organizers with the Forney Trailblazers Saddle Club, and said he grew up riding in this event. Now, at 43, he has two sons that also carry on the tradition.
“My dad rode in it for years,” he said. “It was something I looked forward to all year. Now my sons are taking part, and that makes it very special.”
Hill said he is hoping word will get out that the Wagon Train is still alive and well, and he would like to see more participants.
“I can remember as a kid, we would have a lot more wagons, and people in the different towns we passed through knew we were coming. They would be lined up on the side of the road to greet us,” he said. “In recent years, the numbers have dropped, and for a while we feared it would end all together. Last year we had a good crowd, with about 40 wagons. But we want people to come out and see us on the routes. We want them to get a glimpse of the way things used to be.”
Hill said that teams come from all over the country, even as far away as South Dakota.
Planning this ride is something that occurs year-round from year to year. Aside from the wagons, they rely on outriders, trail bosses, and scouts to keep everyone safe. There are times when they must cross through heavy traffic areas, and every precaution is taken to keep everyone safe. In those heavy traffic areas, Hill said they often have police escorts to help with traffic as they cross a busy road or intersection. Hill said he will stay in touch with the EAN on the journey, so we will have a better idea of when to let our readers know when to be on the lookout and have a chance to see it in person.
Bruce Faust is the owner of the Iron Horse Ranch in Wetumpka and remembers well the days gone by when he not only took part in the Wagon Train but welcomed a big group to camp on his property. He said there were times when there were 80 or more wagons involved, and his 150-acre ranch could easily accommodate them.
We were recently invited out to the Iron Horse Ranch for a visit in preparation for this story.
Gazing out on a pasture where the wagons would park for the night, and horses would graze, Bruce spoke of the memories of the fun, family atmosphere.
“Those were some great days,” he said.
When the Iron Horse Ranch was a regular stopping point each year, he constructed additional buildings just for the event. Families with small children would often use the bunkhouses he built by hand, to make it a little less “primitive” for shelter. He built a large building that could hold dances for the group. That same building would later serve as the Brush Popper Cowboy’s Church for a time. There are stages where musicians once played, and plenty of areas to relax in the shade, as well as a kitchen area for meal preparation.
Most of the participants would sleep in their wagons, or on the ground on bedrolls, the nightlight their stars. The pasture would be dotted with campfires and the sound of laughter and someone strumming a guitar or banjo. For breakfast, Faust would serve up his famous Dutch oven biscuits.
For those who would like a glimpse of the past, and how things used to be, you still have a chance to spot this year’s Alabama Wagon Train as it comes through your area. If you happen to encounter them, please use caution, and just soak it in. Events like this might just be a thing of the past one day. See a list of areas where the groups will set up camp below.
Make your plans now to attend the SLE Rodeo at Garret Coliseum. Everything you can imagine a rodeo should be is included in this huge event.
If you are interested in joining the Alabama Wagon Train ride or want more information, contact https://www.facebook.com/ftbsaddleclub
For more information on the SLE Rodeo, see this link – SLE Rodeo
If you want the chance to see and meet the riders, the list of camps are as follows:
Sunday, March 2 – *Gathering Day* – Centre, AL
Monday, March 3 – – Stroked Out Diesel | Piedmont, AL
Tuesday, March 4 – Horse Camp | Fruithurst, AL
Wednesday, March 5 – M&S Farms | Heflin, AL
Thursday, March 6 – – Troy Sperling – Shinbone | Lineville, AL
Friday, March 7 – Sale Barn | Ashland, AL
Saturday, March 8 – Layover Day in Ashland, AL
Sunday, March 10 – Hackneyville, AL
Monday, March 11 – Kellyton, AL
In our area – Tuesday, March 12 – Equality, AL – Sybil Kellum Farm.
Wednesday, March 13 – Santuck, AL – Billy Wilson’s Racetrack at 3677 Milam Road.
Thursday, March 14 – The Wagon Train will end its journey at the Coliseum | Montgomery, AL
Friday, March 15 – Coliseum | Montgomery, AL
