A "Bennett Buggy" travelling on Wiggins Avenue in Saskatoon. College Building) in background at left, Qu'Appelle Hall at right.

Bio/Historical Note: This image is one of the most requested photos in the University Archives. It was taken by an unknown photographer in about 1935. A 'Bennett Buggy' was a term used in Canada during the Great Depression to describe a car which had its engine and windows taken out and was pulled by a horse. In the United States, such vehicles were known as Hoover carts, named after then-President Herbert Hoover. The Canadian term was named after Richard Bennett, the Prime Minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935, who was blamed for the nation's poverty. Cars being pulled by horses became a common sight during the Depression. During the boom years of the 1920s, many Canadians had bought cheap vehicles for the first time, but during the Depression, many found they did not have enough money to operate them. This was especially true in the hard-hit prairie provinces. The increased poverty played an important role, as farmers could not buy gasoline. The price of gas also increased. Gas taxes were also one of the best sources of revenue for the provincial governments. When these provinces went into a deficit, they increased these taxes, making gas even harder to buy. In Saskatchewan, badly hit by the depression, similar vehicles with an additional seat over the front axle were dubbed "Anderson carts" after Premier James T.M. Anderson.

Cow pulling two wheeled cart carrying a man.

West side of Main Street in Zealandia looking north. A number of people walking about and a hardware and furniture store under construction with six horse and wagons on the street.

A large pile of stones with a man in a buggy hitched to two horses in the background

Men and horses hitched to wagons building a grade across a small body of water near Biggar, Saskatchewan

A horse and wagon with four children on it
Two of the children are holding books

A man standing on a wagon loaded with lumber and hitched to four horses; There is a wooden building in the background

A group of people in costume, riding a decorated horse drawn wagon. A sign on the wagon reads "Hock & Packer Serving Biggar Community..."

A woman on a buggy which is hitched to one horse

Two men and a girl dressed in period clothes and riding in a horse drawn buggy during a parade in Biggar, Saskatchewan.

A woman in a buggy hitched to one horse is parked in front of a building which has sign reading "Ladies Rest Room"

Smaller photograph shows Belbeck Elevator and Trading Co. Ltd. elevator built at Belbeck, Saskatchewan. Partially constructed elevator at right; horse-drawn buggy at centre. The larger photograph is full version showing elevators and another horse-drawn buggy. Possibly a third elevator under construction at right, with man walking at extreme right

Image of the Moose Jaw Public Library. There is a man standing on the front steps of the library and a horse-drawn vehicle driving up to the front door.

The start of a women's oxen and buggy race at a picnic to aid the Red Cross. The first prize was one dollar, won by Miss Isabel Powell, at centre.

North West Mounted Police (NWMP) officers with sisters, Eva and Mary Hillmare, leaving Saltcoats, Saskatchewan for Regina.