The Butterfield Trail
The Butterfield Overland Dispatch was organized by Col. David Butterfield in early 1865 to carry freight and passengers from Atchison, Kansas to Denver, Colorado (via the 592 mile long Smoky Hill route). Relay stations were built every twelve miles for the passengers' comfort. Chapman Creek was one of those stations. The coming of the railroad marked the end of the stagecoach era in America's history.
As you look due west from this marker two wagon ruts carved into the landscape by passing coaches and wagons can still be seen to this day.
Erected 2009 by Chapman Charmers EHU 1983 and Chapman Area Preservation 2009.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 38° 58.282′ N, 97° 2.04′ W. Marker is in Chapman, Kansas, in Dickinson County. It is on Hilltop Drive. The marker and ruts are along the western boundary of Indian Hill Cemetery, at the end of West 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 West 5th Street, Chapman KS 67431, United
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Smoky Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The World Wide Movement of Hi-Y (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Patrick's Mission Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Kansas' First Kindergarten (approx. 6.4 miles away); Jacob B. Ehrsam (approx. 6.4 miles away); Carry A. Nation (approx. 6½ miles away); Buckeye Street Neighborhood (approx. 10.1 miles away); Seelye Mansion (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chapman.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Historical Kansas (was approx. 8.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Smoky Hill Trail History. (Submitted on November 9, 2015, by William
2. Smoky Hill Trail and Butterfield Overland Despatch. (Submitted on November 9, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. The Butterfield Trail Museum and Historical Association. (Submitted on November 9, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,281 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
