Fort Chadbourne
One of two forts I visited
I have been fortunate to have visited many forts around Texas. Sadly, Fort Chadbourne is in the worst disrepair. I can see there is an effort to restore the fort but it is so badly damaged it will be difficult to return it to its former glory. It was very interesting and even with the ruin you could make out the layout. If you are really still, you can see the horses, uniforms and fanfare on the parade grounds. – Boots and Saddle.
I was out faily early in the morning. It was a very sunny, warm, and quiet morning. I saw very few people – with periods of over an hour between seeing anyone at all. These are the "special" times. If you believe in a creator, this is the time to make your case. I always drop in a really big thank you while I'm at it. Your mileage may vary.
I was out faily early in the morning. It was a very sunny, warm, and quiet morning. I saw very few people – with periods of over an hour between seeing anyone at all. These are the "special" times. If you believe in a creator, this is the time to make your case. I always drop in a really big thank you while I'm at it. Your mileage may vary.
It was invigorating to see Old Glory waving in the breeze.
Many of the walls have crumbled.
A peaceful morning on the parade grounds.
Cactus will grow just about anywhere.
Leaving now – You will find these along your way.
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SOUTHERN OVERLAND MAIL, 1858 – 1861
(BUTTERFIELD STAGE)
PASSED NEAR THIS SITE, PROVIDING FOR THE FIRST TIME COMBINED PASSENGER AND MAIL SERVICE BETWEEN PACIFIC AND ATLANTIC COASTS. OPERATING WEST FROM ST. LOUIS AND MEMPHIS. JOHN BUTTERFIELD'S COMPANY USED 1350 HORSES AND MULES AND 90 CONCORD COACHES AND WAGONS. STAGE TRAVELED AT A RUN, DESPITE LACK OF GOOD ROADS. A SIGNAL GIVEN APPROACHING A STATION WOULD HAVE FRESH HORSES READY AND FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR CREW AND PASSENGERS. ROUTE HAD STATIONS 12 TO 113 MILES APART, AND WAS SOMETIMES CHANGED TO GET WATER. CREW AND PASSENGERS WORE GUNS TO REDUCE DANGER OF INDIAN ATTACKS. MULES (LESS COVETED THAN HORSES) WERE USED WEST OF FT. BELKNAP. THE TRIP ONE WAY TO OK 25 DAYS – SEVEN SPENT CROSSING TEXAS. FROM PRESTON (NOW UNDER LAKE TEXOMA) TO JACKSBORO, FT. BELKNAP, FT. CHADBOURNE, AND EL PASO. ONE WAY FARE FOR THE 2700 MILES WAS $200. PASSENGERS RARELY STOPPED OFF BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT FIND SEATS ON A LATER STAGE. MERCHANTS IN JACKSBORO AND OTHER TOWNS USED BUTTERFIELD'S LIGHT FREIGHT SERVICE TO MAKE MAIL ORDER SALES. GREATEST CONTRIBUTION OF THE OVERLAND STAGE WAS ITS CARRYING NEWS. COACHES ALSO BROUGHT MAIL FROM THE WEST ONE TO 10 DAYS FASTER THAN IT CAME BY SHIP. SERVICE WAS ENDED IN 1861 BY THE CIVIL WAR. v [sic]
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Historical signs come in handy when making sense out of what you see.
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 Still with me? – Page Three |