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An original stagecoach, within a team of stagecoaches which carried mail from Springfield to Tombstone, Ariz., as part of the Overland Mail Company’s route from St. Louis to San Francisco, Cal. from 1858 until the Civil War began in 1861, will begin its journey in Springfield to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the mail route. The stagecoach will wind its way through the state, eventually ending in Fayetteville, Ark. At each stop along the way the stagecoach will offer educational lessons for children, where they’ll also have an opportunity to participate in a pen pal program.
Sunday, Sept. 7 free public activities at Rutledge-Wilson Community Farm Park, 3825 West Farm Road 146, include:
Noon – 7 p.m.: Visit with Butterfield Stagecoach staff and horses
Noon – 5 p.m.: Western Crafts; Cattle Roping (hay bale with cattle head); Stagecoach Pictures
5 – 7 p.m.: Campfire Storytelling; free s’mores, while supplies last
Monday, Sept. 8 activities at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, 6424 W. Farm Road 182, include:
(Rutledge – Wilson Community Farm) 10 a.m.: Stagecoach departs Farm to travel to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Republic Public Schools classes arrive at Battlefield for lesson and draft pen pal letter
12:30 p.m.: Classes tour Historic Ray House and visit Butterfield Stagecoach, including handing over letters for stagecoach to “Cowboy Rick” and Beverly Hamby
The Hamby Family bought the stagecoach in 1999 from a blacksmith working at Silver Dollar City in Branson, where it was used by the theme park through the 1960s and 1970s. The family refurbished the stagecoach and have made six major journeys. Rick, a former rodeo cowboy, made his maiden voyage in 2001 from Springfield to Tombstone with a 1,400-mile trip in 63 days.
Springfield’s Stagecoach depot was originally located on the northeast side of the Springfield Public Square. The location is significant, as the existing building at the site will be the future home of the History Museum for Springfield-Greene County later this fall.
The visit is sponsored by the Greene County Historical Society, History Museum for Springfield-Greene County, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, and Springfield-Greene County Park Board. For more information on the Sunday activities, the general public should call the Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park at (417) 837-5949.