Senator Boozman viewed an authentic Butterfield stagecoach, a piece of the trail’s history earlier this year.

WASHINGTON—Legislation authored by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to designate the Butterfield Overland Trail as a National Historic Trail was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday.

The route, operated from 1858-1861 by the Butterfield Overland Mail Company and also known as the Butterfield Stage, was used to transport U.S. mail and passengers between St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; and San Francisco, California, serving as the route of the longest stagecoach operation in history. It became known as the “ox-bow route” due to its curved path comprised of approximately 3,553 miles of trail routes in eight states: Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. 

“After many years and determined efforts, the Butterfield Trail has become a National Historic Trail. I'm pleased we've finally achieved this recognition for such an important symbol that has deep roots in Arkansas. I thank my colleagues for joining me to ensure this designation was realized,” Boozman said.

President Biden thanked Boozman, along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Kirsten Sinema (I-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX) and former Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) for their leadership in advancing the bill through Congress.

Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) helped ensure passage of S. 3519 - the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Designation Act in the House of Representatives following Senate passage in December 2022.

Boozman amended the original legislation to specifically preclude any potential effect on energy development, production or transmission as a result of the trail designation and has worked with every senator that would see this trail pass through their state to ensure they support the effort.

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. 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 Mail Company’s stagecoaches traveled through much of Arkansas. Stagecoaches made stops between Memphis and Fort Smith in St. Francis, 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.

Four segments of the Butterfield Trail in Arkansas have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Potts home, a well-preserved Arkansas way station along the path, is still standing in Pope County and is maintained as the Potts Inn Museum by the Pope County Historical Foundation.