Parks / Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail

Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail

National Historic Trail · MO,AR,OK,TX,NM,AZ,CA

In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the eastern United States and growing populations in the Far West. What became known as the Butterfield Overland Trail made an arcing sweep across the southern rim of the country. Stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers, freight, and mail.