Butterfield Trail Pending Recognition As National Historic Trail

January 4, 2023

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Butterfield Trail Pending Recognition As National Historic Trail

Encyclopedia of Arkansas

A bill authored by Sen. John Boozman that would designate Butterfield Overland Trail as a National Historic Trail is awaiting President Biden's signature to make it final.

  • Westward: At approximately 3,553 miles, Butterfield Trail was the longest stagecoach operation in world history and was used to transport passengers and mail between St. Louis, Memphis, and San Fransisco.
  • Snail mail: The Butterfield Overland Mail Company operated the trail from 1858-1861, and Northwest Arkansas was home to numerous important stops along the way, most notably Fitzgerald Station, which still stands in Springdale.

Find an interactive map of historic stops along the trail HERE.

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