Wells Fargo Strong Box

Wells Fargo Strong Box, c.1855
California
Wood, iron, leather, and paint; 10 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 14 in.
32739B
Gift of Mr. Eugene H. Hite, Sr. The need for a reliable delivery system arose as Americans moved west in the 1800s, seeking gold and land for settlement. Anticipating this need, Wells Fargo and Company was founded in 1852 in San Francisco. Their banking services provided new settlers with a sense of security, and they quickly became renowned for their rapid and reliable delivery of mail and valuable goods. The first Wells Fargo office in Santa Ana was located in William Spurgeon’s downtown store in 1874. The strong boxes used by Wells Fargo during this time were constructed from oak and pine with reinforcing iron straps. They were carried on stagecoaches to transport items such as gold, silver, legal papers, checks, drafts, and mail from bank to bank.

Wells Fargo eventually grew to become the nation’s first coast-to-coast express delivery company and by 1918, it reached ten thousand communities across the United States. During World War I the nation's delivery routes were nationalized to support American efforts. Wells Fargo was left with their banking services, which continue to exist today. All text and images under copyright. Please contact Collection Department for permission to use. Information subject to change with additional research.