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Oak Grove Butterfield Station
Photo from National Historic
Landmarks collection |
The Butterfield Overland Mail operated from 1858 to 1861. Its route travelled
between San Francisco and two eastern termini--St. Louis, Missouri, and
Memphis, Tennessee. The Oak Grove Butterfield Station, a National
Historic Landmark, is a rare example of a stage station remaining
along the old stage route. The two routes (St. Louis and Memphis) converged
at Fort Smith, Arkansas, dropped into Texas, extended across the southwest
to Los Angeles, and then north through the San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco.
It took about 25 days for a letter to reach its destination. The line
also attracted passengers. The operation of the Butterfield Overland Mail
was disrupted by the Civil War. The 1858 Oak Grove Butterfield Station
is a simple one story adobe building surrounded by ancient oak trees.
Oak Grove Butterfield Station is located 13 miles northwest of
Warner Hot Springs on California 79 in Oak Grove. It is now occupied
by a store, open during normal business hours.
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