Southern Overland Mail, 1858 - 1861

Passed near this site, providing for the first time combined passenger and mail service between Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Operating west from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield's company used 1,350 horses and mules and 90 Concord coaches and wagons. Stage traveled at a run, despite lack of good roads. A signal given approaching a station would have fresh horses ready and food on the table for crew and passengers. Route had stations 12 to 113 miles apart, and was sometimes changed to get water. Crew and passengers wore guns; to reduce danger of Indian attacks, mules (less coveted than horses) were used west of Ft. Belknap. The trip one way took 25 days -- seven spent crossing Texas, from Preston (now under Lake Texoma) to Jacksboro, Ft. Belknap, Ft. Chadbourne and El Paso. One way fare for the 2,700 miles was $200. Passengers rarely stopped off, because they might not find seats on a later stage. Merchants in Jacksboro and other towns used Butterfield's light freight service to make mail-order sales. Greatest contribution of the overland stage was its carrying news; coaches also brought mail from the west one to 10 days faster than it came by ship. Service was ended in 1861 by the Civil War. (1966) Incise on base: Early Travel, Communication and Transportation Series erected by Moody Foundation, 1966.

Southern Overland Mail, 1858 - 1861 is a historical marker in Robert Lee vicinity, Coke County, dedicated in 1966. It is one of 31 historical markers documented in Coke County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 44 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.9018, -100.3894 near Robert Lee vicinity. The nearest cataloged historic site is Indian Creek (cemetery), about 1.6 miles away. Others within a short drive include Hayrick, Hayrick, and Byrd, James Franklin.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5081004983. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.