Cooking pot from Camp Floyd
Few things were of necessity to the cowboy during the time of the Wild West. While weapons (usually a gun), fire-starting material, and clothing were of the utmost importance, food and water were considered the most important of all needs. While some groups of cowboys and individuals carried minimalistic cooking sets, most cowboys depended on the chuckwagon cook to provide them with nutrition.
The cooking set of a chuckwagon cook usually included wood for cooking, a coffee pot, hand-forged utensils, plates and bowls, and cast-iron pots and skillets. Chuckwagon cooks often prepared simple meals such as coffee, beans, biscuits, and stews. There was no fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat unless an animal had been killed recently. Water was stored in buckets.
To learn more about life in the Wild West visit the Hutchings Museum today.