Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co. in South Bend, Indiana made the Sprinkler now on display in the Winmill Carriage Collection. The Sprinkler is a cart or wagon, provided with a suitable water-tank and sprinkling device, used for wetting down the dust on public through fares. Some were equipped with a sweeping apparatus. In the spring they were used to remove sand that had piled up on the streets over the winter. Most were bought in quantity by larger cities to control the dust. In the 1870's Studebaker and Wrinkler Brothers both of South Bend Indiana were the most active in producing Sprinklers. They were used for watering streets, parks, racetracks, gardens, lawns and plants.

Their size ranged from 175 to 1000 gal. The most popular were in the 250 to 750 gal. sizes. The Sprinklers were fitted with a fifth wheel that balanced the tank and allowed 90 -degree turns. They weighed from 2,300 lbs. - 3600 lbs. empty. The Studebaker Sprinkler, considered top of the line, featured an assembly that could deliver a spray 30 feet in width and adjust to eight different volumes from light to heavy. Studebaker Sprinkler tanks were made of Tidewater Cypress in a horseshoe shape (circular on top, flat on the bottom).

In 1899 Studebaker purchased the Wrinkler system for the sum of $25,000. By 1910 more Studebaker Sprinklers were sold and used than all other Sprinklers combined. Few Sprinklers remain today because many were converted to oilers and used on the growing number of paved roads. Like the farm wagons they were used until they were used up.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Driving Digest No. 83. Frank Frost, 1994
Carriage Terminology: An Historical Dictionary. Don H. Berkebile, 1978