Since 1996.
Our History
/ 01
Our Inspiration
Tin Top Carriage Company began in 1996 at the encouragement of my good friend and mentor, J.W. Brown. He’s one of those people who should be famous, but sadly aren’t. After a career as a teacher, he began his dream hobby, building full size replicas of the famous Abbott and Downing Stagecoach. Several of his coaches have been featured in Hollywood films such as “Maverick”, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” and “Cowboys and Aliens”. His coaches also make appearances every year at the National Finals Rodeo, and in the Fort Worth Stock Show Parade. J. has passed on now, but the memory of his cowboy ingenuity, work ethic and loving heart will live with me forever.
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Our Beginnings
In 1995, he suggested that a market existed in the DFW area for sleighs to rent to the public for parties, plays, and Christmas displays. Boy, was he right! My husband and I jumped on the idea and made our first trip to an Indiana carriage auction and bought a trailer full of sleighs to restore—much to the confusion of the Amish auctioneer! In subsequent years, we made several trips for this purpose, (the last one on my own as my husband passed away in 2019) and now have what I believe to be the largest collection of genuine antique horse drawn sleighs in Texas at 22.
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A Bright Future
Tin Top sleighs have made their appearance at the Cowboy’s Frisco facility, the University of Texas, more churches than I can name, countless weddings, at Christmas on the Square in Weatherford – even on a commercial on Channel 11. Even Santa makes his appearances with a sleigh in the back of his truck—-much more practical than reindeer in Texas! All the sleighs are lovingly restored to their original beauty and still capable of going down a snowy road (or 3” of sleet!) behind a well broke horse—-though I reserve that privilege for myself!
