Our Omnibus Today

Photos this page courtesy David H. Mitchell, Conservator

Click each image for a larger view

	Our forlorn omnibus, shackled to a post, literally a horseless carriage.
	The rear door with once-colorful decoration, Chalybeate Spring identification, and John Stephenson's maker's label.
	Another view of the lower part of the door, Stephenson's label, and the pronounced curved tail of the door, designed to protect the entrance steps from the weather.
	The entrance steps revealed by the opened door.
	The left front wheel.
	A closer view of the wheel, showing the sad physical loss and decay in desperate need of correction.
	Stephenson's omnibuses were embellished all over with colorful decoration, even in obscure parts of the undercarriage. And the colors were vivid (and patriotic), as witness the bit of red refusing to be dimmed.
	Here, in a small section of the wood trim below the cushion of one of the seats, is an additional indication of the high degree of embellishment--faux graining a la rosewood.
	Decorations in more prominent places on the exterior of the omnibus were multicolored, rich, and shone with a coat of high gloss varnish. This, for example, fairly cries out to be revived to its former glory.
	The perplexing place names above the windows show a mix of Chalybeate and Sweet Springs Hotel. On top behind the driver's seat can be seen the round opening for passing one's fare from within to the driver.
	This interior view of the ceiling reveals the high degree of skill and care among Stephenson's craftsmen. In the front is the opening for passing one's fare to the driver.
	A closer view of the round opening for passing one's fare from within to the driver. Beside it is the bell for signaling a reqest to stop.