New River Station facts for kids
New River Station was an important stop for travelers and mail coaches in the Colorado Desert a long time ago. It was part of a famous mail route called the Butterfield Overland Mail. This station was located about 15 miles southeast of Indian Wells Station and 14 miles west of Alamo Mocho Station, right next to the New River.
A Busy Stop on the Butterfield Trail
The New River Station started operating as part of the Butterfield Overland Mail route. This was a very long stagecoach and mail service that connected the eastern United States with California in the mid-1800s. It was a huge journey! The station helped travelers and mail carriers get water and rest in the hot desert. However, this mail route stopped running in March 1861. This happened right at the beginning of the American Civil War, when the country was divided. The mail service then moved to a different route further north.
A Watering Place for Travelers and Soldiers
Even after the Butterfield Mail stopped, the New River Station area was still used. It was a vital watering spot for people traveling on the Southern Emigrant Trail. This trail was a path many pioneers and settlers took to move west.
The station also became a temporary camp for soldiers from the Union Army. These soldiers were moving between California and Arizona Territory during the Civil War. A soldier named Lieut. Col. Joseph R. West wrote in his journal in 1861 that the station was "deserted." He noted that while there was a deep well, the water wasn't great. He also mentioned a nearby lagoon that provided water, but it might dry up during long dry spells. This meant getting water at the station could be tricky.
Later Use and Disappearance
The New River Station was used again by stagecoach companies starting in 1867. These companies carried passengers and goods. It remained active until 1877. That year, the Southern Pacific Railroad reached Fort Yuma, making stagecoaches less necessary. After the railroad arrived, the station was abandoned for good.
Today, the exact spot of the New River Station is hard to find. It was likely located in what is now Colonia Hidalgo, Mexicali, right by the New River. However, a massive flood from the Colorado River in 1905 changed the landscape dramatically. This flood washed away the old station site, as well as the one at Indian Wells, making their precise locations a mystery.
