Smith's Station

Historical marker location:

US 180 W of Albany about 12 miles., Albany, Texas

( (Not accessible from car) -From Albany, take Highway 180 west about 12 miles to county road, then take county road south about 2 miles to "Smith Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail" trail sign, then follow trail about 4 miles east.)

Marker installed: 1982

From 1858 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, a station of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route was located here. Despite a brief existence, it was an important stop of the early stage line that reached from Missouri to California. Stages made the trip in under 25 days, a marked improvement on earlier communication links with the rapidly developing west. Located on Chimney Creek between stage stops at Clear Fork (26 miles northeast) and Fort Phantom Hill (12 miles southwest), Smith's Station was the only Butterfield stop located in present Shackelford County. (1982).

roads stagecoach routes, stands

In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.