Near Albany in Shackelford County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Smith's Station

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 1, 2017

1. Smith's Station Marker

Inscription. From 1858 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, a station of the Butterfield Overland Mail route was located here. Despite a brief existence, it was an important stop on the early stage line that reached from Missouri to California. Stages made the trip in under 25 days, a marked improvement on earlier communication links with the rapidly developing West. Located on Chimney Creek between stage stops at Clear Fork (26 mi. NE) and Fort Phantom Hill (12 mi. SW), Smith’s Station was the only Butterfield stop located in present Shackelford County.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4958.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 32° 42.335′ N, 99° 31.373′ W. Marker is near Albany, Texas, in Shackelford County. Marker can be reached from Chimney Creek Ranch Road (County Road 220) 2.3 miles south of U.S. 180, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albany TX 76430, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Cable Tool Oil Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cold War Hardline Communications Pit

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(approx. 1.4 miles away); Butterfield Overland Mail (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bud Matthews Switch of the Texas Central Railway (approx. 2.1 miles away); Lueders Cemetery (approx. 7 miles away); Big Country Baptist Assembly (approx. 8 miles away); Fort Phantom Hill (approx. 10.1 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Phantom Hill (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.

More about this marker. Smith’s Station and the marker are located 1/4 mile west of County Road 220. Although the marker is located on private property, the property owners allow public access to the site.

Regarding Smith's Station. The chimney is the original chimney of Smith's Station. The building is a reproduction from plans of the Delaware Springs station.

Also see . . .
1. Butterfield Overland Mail - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on July 8, 2017.)
2. Butterfield Overland Mail. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on July 8, 2017.)

3. Smith's Station - A Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route

Marker next to Original Chimney image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 1, 2017

2. Marker next to Original Chimney

. From the Chimney Creek Ranch website. Includes links to documents on the history of the Butterfield Overland Mail through the ranch and four videos. (Submitted on July 8, 2017.)

Smith's Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 1, 2017

3. Smith's Station

(L) Reproduction of Butterfield Overland stage station
(C) Smith's Station Marker
(R) Original chimney of Smith's Station

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2017, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 8, 2017, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.