Downtown Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Butterfield Overland Stage
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 12, 2011
1. Butterfield Overland Stage Marker
Site of Gen. Nicholas Smith's tavern on Boonville Road, earliest outlet of Springfield, also station of Butterfield Stage Route carrying first overland mail from St. Louis to Pacific Coast. Government subsidy $600,000 yearly. First mail left St. Louis Sept. 16, 1858, by rail, arriving Tipton afternoon of same day, then by stage, reaching Springfield 3:15 p.m., Sept. 17, and San Francisco 7:30 a.m. Oct. 10. Time 23 days, 23 hours from St. Louis, 2765 miles. Longest mail stage route ever attempted. Bi-weekly service Mondays and Thursdays from St. Louis. 141 (later 167) stations en route. First eastbound stage left San Francisco early Sept. 15, arriving Springfield 3:00 p.m., Oct. 8, where hundreds welcomed its arrival as great event. Banquet; speeches; fireworks. Time eastward trip, 24 days, 18 hours to St. Louis.
Erected Nov. 1932.
Erected 1932 by University Club. (Marker Number 18.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Butterfield Overland Mail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1831.
Location. 37° 12.578′ N, 93° 17.529′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dedicated to the Loving Memory of Dr. R. Fred Schweitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Here Dave Tutt Fell (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Springfield Public Square (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Three Black Men Lynched (about 300 feet away); Battle of Springfield (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Springfield (about 300 feet away); 1971 Tumbler (about 300 feet away); Lynching in America / The Lynchings of Horace B. Duncan, Fred Coker and William Allen (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
Also see . . .
1. Butterfield Overland Mail Route. Website homepage (Submitted on June 23, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Springfield-Greene County Local History. (Submitted on June 3, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 12, 2011
2. Butterfield Overland Stage Marker
Behind construction fence, below orange and white striped marker.
Historical pictures of Springfield Square and the side of the Union Hotel
3. Butterfield Overland Stage Marker
General Nicholas Smith Tavern Station
April 1958 Missouri Historical Review
4. Butterfield Overland Stage Marker
Butterfield Concord wagon is changed out to a Celerity Wagon Springfield Missouri illustration and story excerpt about the first Butterfield Overland Stage into town September 1858
Photographed by Gregory William Wadley, October 22, 2024
5. Butterfield Overland Stage Marker
Location at Olive and Park Central of the Station and the general lay-out of the town in 1858 period.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,752 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on October 17, 2024, by Gregory William Wadley of Fremont Hills, Missouri. 5. submitted on October 24, 2024, by Gregory William Wadley of Fremont Hills, Missouri.
