Butterfield Overland Mail in Arkansas and Missouri facts for kids

The Butterfield Overland Mail was a really important mail and passenger service in the United States. It was created by the United States Congress on March 3, 1857. This service helped connect the East and West coasts of America. It ran until March 30, 1861, just before the American Civil War began.

The main route was super long! It started in San Francisco, California, went through Los Angeles, crossed the hot Colorado Desert to Fort Yuma, and then through New Mexico Territory. It passed through towns like Tucson and Mesilla, New Mexico before reaching Franklin, Texas. Franklin was like the halfway point of the whole journey!

From Texas, the route crossed the Red River and went into Indian Territory (which is now Oklahoma). Then, it entered Arkansas at Fort Smith. Fort Smith was a key stop because it was where a special side route met the main one. This side route crossed Arkansas and went over the Mississippi River to Memphis, Tennessee. The main route from Fort Smith continued northeast to Tipton, and from there, travelers would take a train on the Pacific Railroad to reach St. Louis. The Arkansas and Missouri part of the route was called the 8th Division and had its own superintendent.

Mail Stations Along the Route

The Butterfield Overland Mail needed many stations along its long route. These stations were important stops where drivers could change horses, and passengers could rest and eat. They were like modern-day rest stops, but for stagecoaches! The 8th Division, covering Arkansas and Missouri, had many of these vital stations.

The Fort Smith to Memphis Route

This was a special branch of the main Butterfield route. It helped connect Arkansas to the important city of Memphis, Tennessee, on the Mississippi River.

• Fort Smith
• Charleston, Arkansas
• Paris, Arkansas
• Stinnett's Station
• Dardanelle, Arkansas
• Norristown (near present-day Russellville, Arkansas)
• Pottsville Inn
• Hurricane Station
• Lewisburg (near present-day Morrilton, Arkansas)
• Plumer's Station (Plumerville, Arkansas)
• Cadron Station
• Atlanta (present-day Austin, Arkansas)
• Des Arc
• Madison, Arkansas
• Memphis, Tennessee

The Main Route Through Arkansas and Missouri

This part of the route was crucial for connecting the western parts of Arkansas to the major city of St. Louis, Missouri.

Arkansas Stations

These stations were important stops as the stagecoaches traveled through the beautiful landscapes of Arkansas.

Butterfield Overland Mail Route near Greenland, Washington County, Arkansas, in March 2011

• Fort Smith
• Van Buren
• Woolsey's Station (also called Signal Hill)
• Brodie's Station (Lee Creek)
• Park's Station
• Fayetteville
• Fitzgerald's Station (near present-day Springdale, Arkansas)
• Callahan's Station (near present-day Rogers, Arkansas)

Missouri Stations

After leaving Arkansas, the route continued into Missouri, passing through many towns and stations before reaching the train line to St. Louis.

• Harbin's Station
• Crouch's Station
• Smith's Station
• Ashmore's Station
• Springfield
• Evan's Station
• Smith's Station
• Bolivar
• Yoast's Station
• Quincy
• Bailey's Station
• Warsaw
• Burn's Station
• Mulholland's Station
• Schackleford's Station
• Tipton
• Pacific Railroad (This was the train line that took passengers the final leg to St. Louis)
• St. Louis