Frontier trail through Fort Smith designated historic by President Biden

A frontier trail that was vital to westward expansion in the mid-1800s that crossed Fort Smith on a stagecoach mail route from Memphis to San Francisco has been designated as historic to the nation.

President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday that was authored by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, to designate the Butterfield Overland Trail as a National Historic Trail.

The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives and headed to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

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.

“This is a long-overdue recognition for the Butterfield Trail. Designating it as a National Historic Trail will preserve the story of westward expansion and Arkansas’s significant role in the growth and development of our country. This is the result of the vision of Arkansans passionate and determined to achieve this designation. I’m proud to champion this initiative and get it across the finish line,” Boozman said.

“Senator Boozman’s persistent efforts will help preserve the Butterfield Trail for Arkansans in the decades to come. I’m pleased to join him and support its passage in the House to preserve this historic national treasure,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-AR.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, said, “I am proud to support this effort led by Sen. Boozman to designate Butterfield Trail as a national historic trail. The 170-year-old trail, reaching 3,000 miles from Arkansas to California, is steeped in history, and this designation will ensure that future generations learn about its importance.”

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 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.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: U.S. Sen. John Boozman helps preserve the Butterfield Overland Trail