The Famed Wells Fargo Stagecoach 
is coming to Macon
By John A.Cappelano

MACON, Ga., (March 16, 2010) - For the first time in its 150 year history, the famed Wells Fargo Stagecoach is coming to Macon, Georgia. It will be a featured part of the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Sunday, March 21st in downtown Macon. The parade kicks off at 3pm winding its way through Cherry and Mulberry Streets in the downtown historic district. 

The first Wells Fargo Stagecoach was built before the Civil War at the Abbott & Downing stage works in Concord, New Hampshire. By 1866, Wells Fargo pretty much ran the overland routes in the west with their six horse stagecoaches that Mark Twain fondly called “a cradle on wheels.” Those familiar red stagecoaches became a large part of how the west was won. The bright red coach makes its first visit to Macon to celebrate the entrance of Wells Fargo Advisors into our Central Georgia communities. The coach will be driven in the parade by Mr. David Helmuth and a team of four horses which is the now customary team for modern pavement parade routes.

The Wells Fargo Stagecoach’s bright yellow wheels and richly decorated red cab is one of the last remaining signature images of the old west. It has been featured in countless films including John Ford’s epic western “Stagecoach” (1939, Warner Brothers) starring John Wayne and “The Music Man” (1962, Warner Bros.) starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones; which featured the endearing song, “The Wells Fargo Wagon”.

Wells Fargo was founded in New York City in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo who later went on to start the American Express Company, as well. Their first offices were opened in San Francisco and Sacramento later that year for the express purpose of providing services to the burgeoning towns of the California Gold Rush. Since those early days, Wells Fargo has grown into a leading international financial services firm. Today, Wells Fargo is among the most respected companies in the world. 

Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival continues to grow with each passing year and is now one of the top tourist destinations in the South. Begun with a single Yoshimo Cherry Tree in 1949 by William A. Fickling, Sr. the festival has grown over the years and now Macon is the home of over 300,000 of these striking trees. The Congressional Record recently declared Macon to be “The Cherry Blossom Capital of the World”. The parade helps to kick off a 10 day festival which runs from March 19th thru March 28th in various locations around Macon. A list of all of the events can be accessed at www.cherryblossom.com. The parade will be telecast on tape delay by NBC affiliate WMGT, channel 41 on Tuesday, March 23rd at 7pm.

For more information, contact John A. Cappelano, Wells Fargo Advisors, 1425 Bass Road, Macon, GA 31210 Tel. (478)749-6203, Fax (478)471-0722, john.cappelano@wellsfargoadvisors.com