Butterfield Overland Mail

Noted field researcher Joe Allen and author Patrick Dearen (foreground) lining out the Butterfield Road. In western Jack County near Butterfield’s Fishpond Station.

Garland Richards of Fort Chadbourne Foundation and Texas author Patrick Dearen. Picture taken during restoration of barracks at Fort Chadbourne.

Deep ruts of Butterfield Overland Mail Road in Upton County, Texas. In between Wild China Ponds and Castle Gap (in background).

Excellent trace of Butterfield Road in Centralia Draw west of Stiles, Texas. On the way to Llano Estacado Station.

Butterfield Crossing of the Clear Fork of the Brazos River. Now part of Lambshead Ranch near Fort Griffin State Park.

Trace of Butterfield Overland Mail Road at Texas Crossing of Red River. Directly across the river from Colbert’s Ferry, Oklahoma, this was Butterfield’s entry point into Texas.

Cistern and sundial at Colbert’s Ferry Station on Red River, Oklahoma. The station keeper here was Benjamin Franklin Colbert, a Chickasaw Indian.

Ruts of Butterfield Overland Mail Road near Crow Spring Station and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Excellent traces of the Butterfield Trail run along the west side of the Guadalupe Mountains (the highest point in Texas).

Artifacts from Crow Spring Station near Dell City, TX. Located near the Texas-New Mexico line, used by Butterfield from September 1858 to May 1859.

Ruins of Cornudas Station near Dell City, TX. On Butterfield’s Upper Road route, used from September 1858 through May 1859.