Ewell Station facts for kids

Ewell Station was an important stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route in the old American West. It was a place where travelers and mail carriers could rest and get fresh water during their long journeys across what is now Arizona.

Ewell Station: A Stop on the Old West Trail

What Was Ewell Station?

Ewell Station was a special stop created for the Butterfield Overland Mail service. This service delivered mail and passengers across the country in the mid-1800s. The station helped make the journey shorter and easier between two other important stops: Dragoon Springs and Apache Pass Station. It also provided a much-needed place to get water, which was very important in the desert.

Where Was Ewell Station Located?

This station was built in what is now Cochise County, Arizona. It was about 24.4 miles east of Dragoon Springs and 12.22 miles west of Apache Pass Station. Its location helped connect these two busy points on the mail route.

When Did Ewell Station Start?

Historians believe Ewell Station probably started operating in late 1858. It wasn't mentioned in records from October 1858, but it does appear in accounts from 1862. By 1862, the main Butterfield Overland Mail service had actually stopped running, but the station was still known.

Getting Water at Ewell Station

Getting water in the desert was a big challenge. At Ewell Station, water wasn't found right at the site. Instead, it had to be brought from a spring located about 4 miles north of the station. This spring was in the Dos Cabezas Mountains. The water was then stored in a large tank called a cistern, ready for people and animals to use.