Desert Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Desert Station
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Locale
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 Desert Station
Location in Arizona
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Maricopa County |
| Elevation | 1,341 ft (409 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
Desert Station was a historic place in what is now Maricopa County, Arizona. It was once a key stop on the famous Butterfield Overland Mail route. This was a very important stagecoach line that carried mail and people across the country a long time ago.
History of Desert Station
Desert Station was built in 1859. It was part of the Butterfield Overland Mail route. This route was a stagecoach service that delivered mail and passengers across the southern United States. Desert Station was located in a tough area called the Fortymile Desert. This desert was near the Gila River.
A Vital Stop in the Desert
The station was about 21.82 miles (35.11 km) east of Gila Ranch Station. It was also about 18.57 miles (29.88 km) west of Maricopa Wells Station. Desert Station was special because it had its own well. This well provided much-needed water in the dry desert.
To help horses cross the desert, two large water tanks were set up. One tank was between Desert Station and Gila Ranch. The other was between Desert Station and Maricopa Wells. Stations along the river helped fill these tanks. This made sure horses had enough water for their long journeys.
Desert Station During the Civil War
In March 1861, the Butterfield mail service stopped running. This was because of the American Civil War. However, Desert Station remained an important stop. It was used by people moving goods and by travelers. They were coming into the New Mexico Territory from Arizona City. Arizona City was a riverport on the Colorado River.
During the war, soldiers also passed through Desert Station. Troops from the Confederate Army briefly moved through the area. They later retreated when the California Column advanced. The California Column was part of the Union Army. They moved into Confederate Arizona and took control of the New Mexico Territory in 1862.
