Blair Valley in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Butterfield Overland Mail Route

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 13, 2022

1. Butterfield Overland Mail Route Marker

Inscription. This pass, Puerta, between the desert and the cooler valleys to the north, was used by the Mormon Battalion, Kearny's Army of the West, the Butterfield Overland Mail Stages, and emigrants who eventually settled the west. The eroded scar on the left was the route of the Butterfield stages, 1858-1861. The road on the right served as a county road until recent years.

Erected 1958 by California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Sierra Club of California, San Diego Chapter. (Marker Number 647.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail, the California Historical Landmarks, and the Mormon Battalion series lists.

Location. 33° 2.186′ N, 116° 24.187′ W. Marker is in Blair Valley, California, in San Diego County. It can be reached from an un-named desert road half a mile east of Great Overland Stage Route (County Route S2). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Julian CA 92036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Morteros Memories (approx. 2.4 miles away); Box Canyon (approx. 2.7 miles away); Pictographs (approx. 2.8 miles away); Vallecito Stage Station (approx. 5.2 miles away); Vallecito-Butterfield Stage Station (approx. 5.9 miles away); Location, Location, Location (approx. 6.3 miles away); San Felipe (approx. 6½ miles away); Pedro Fages Trail (approx. 8.6 miles away).

Additional keywords. California Historical Landmark 647

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 13, 2022

2. Butterfield Overland Mail Route Marker

Back of Marker, and view of Blair Valley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, May 18, 2008

3. Back of Marker, and view of Blair Valley

Remains of Stage Route image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 13, 2022

4. Remains of Stage Route

Remains of County Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 13, 2022

5. Remains of County Road

The stage road is visible across the bottom of this photo, and the county road just above it. This location is behind the marker, on the other side of the hill.

Trail to Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 13, 2022

6. Trail to Marker

The trail continues past the marker to the top of a hill with a view of the old roads and Blair Valley.

Highway Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 13, 2022

7. Highway Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 2,143 times since then and 93 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on January 13, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.