Sen. Boozman leads efforts for national recognition of Butterfield Overland Trail

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, RArkansas, is leading efforts to recognize the Butterfield Overland Trail for its historical significance by introducing legislation to designate the trail as a National Historic Trail.

From 1858-1861, the Butterfield Overland Mail Company held a U.S. Mail contract to transport mail and passengers between the eastern termini of St. Louis and Memphis and the western terminus of San Francisco.

Traveling through St. Francis County, the trail served as the route of the longest stagecoach operation in history.

“The Butterfield Overland Trail played an important role in our nation’s westward expansion. Designating it as a National Historic Trail is a fitting recognition for its contributions to the growth and development of our country and the state of Arkansas,” Boozman said. “For more than a decade, I’ve been working through the process to achieve this long overdue distinction. With the introduction of this bill, we are now one step closer to accomplishing this goal.”

It became known as the “oxbow route” due to its curved path comprised of approximately 3,553 miles of trail routes in eight states, which in addition to Arkansas, include Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

In 2018, after conducting a study to evaluate the significance, feasibility, suitability and desirability of designating the routes associated with the Butterfield Overland Trail as a National Historic Trail, the National Park Service (NPS) announced they meet the requirements, according to a press release from Boozman’s office. The study was required by a provision of Public Law 111-11 authored by Boozman during his tenure as Congressman for the Third District of Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The routes from St. Louis and Memphis merged in Fort Smith, and the Butterfield Overland Express stagecoaches traveled through much of the state. Stagecoaches made stops between Memphis and Fort Smith that in addition to St. Francis County, included Prairie, Lonoke, Faulkner, Conway, Pope, Yell, Logan and Franklin counties. The northwestern route that came out of Missouri included stops in Benton, Washington and Crawford counties.

Passengers on the southern route had to take a ferry across the Mississippi River from Memphis, then catch a train to Madison where they boarded stagecoaches, according to the study.

“I will be working with my colleagues to ensure this path carved out and traversed by America’s pioneers is appropriately preserved for future generations to visit and learn about,” said Boozman. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Boozman said there has been some unfounded concern about property rights.

"People worry about things like property rights, taking land,"

(Continued from Page 1) he said. "We're not doing any of those things. This is about signage, designation as a national historic trail."

Boozman said the plan is to have signs along highways nearest to the original trail.

Under the heading of "Land Acquisition," the proposed legislation specifically states: "The United States shall not acquire for the trail ... any land or interest in land outside of the exterior boundary of any federally administered area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.''

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, is a co-sponsor of the legislation.