Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
First Butterfield Overland Mail Coach
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023
1. First Butterfield Overland Mail Coach Marker
Commemorating arrival of the first Butterfield Overland mail coach, St. Louis to San Francisco, arrived in Fort Smith at John Rogers City Hotel, North 2nd and A Streets, 2:00 a.m. September 19, 1858.
Erected 1958 by Old Fort Museum Board.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1858.
Location. 35° 23.264′ N, 94° 25.699′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker is at the intersection of Rogers Avenue and South 4th Street, on the right when traveling south on Rogers Avenue. Marker is in front of Fort Smith Museum of History. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate [and] Union Occupation of Fort Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commissary Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Fort Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Barracks, Courthouse, Jail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marble Hall in 1863 (about
this page online
Regarding First Butterfield Overland Mail Coach. From the National Park Service:
The first Overland Mail run began the morning of September 16, 1858. John Butterfield personally placed the mail bags on the Pacific Railroad Company train in St. Louis. Ten hours and 160 miles later, Butterfield placed the mail on the coach and boarded along with six other passengers. From Tipton, the route went through the Ozarks to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where it met the stage from Memphis, Tennessee.
The first stage line entered Fort Smith over old Washington Street, now Second Street. At 2:00 a.m. Sunday, September 19, the city was awake with excitement. Music, cheering and even cannon fire was heard in honor of the event. When the stage started on its way to California, the celebration continued with champagne until daylight. From Fort Smith, the Overland Mail route crossed the Poteau River and angled through IndianTerritory to Sherman, Texas, and on to San Francisco, by way of El Paso, Texas, Tucson, Arizona, and Los Angeles, California. At 7:30 a.m. on October 10, 1858, John Butterfield accomplished the impossible: connecting the East and West in less than 25 days.Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 20232. First Butterfield Overland Mail Coach Marker
Also see . . .
1. John Butterfield & the Overland Mail Company. Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company, also known as the Overland Stage Company, was the brainchild of John Butterfield. (By Kathy Alexander with Gerald T. Ahnert, Legends of America) (Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Butterfield Overland Mail Trail in Arkansas. Interactive maps and sketches of Arkansas towns and cities along the trail. ( Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism) (Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023
3. Fort Smith Museum of History
It is housed in the 1906 Atkinson-Williams Hardware warehouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
