For the last few years, local history groups in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas have promoted a Butterfield Stagecoach trail in the Ozarks. I saw an article in the northwest Arkansas edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today (3/1/10) that says a study is underway now to look at the trail history, with a goal of being added to the National Park Service's trails systems. There is to be a meeting 3/2/10 from 3-5pm on the Fayetteville, AR Town Center in which representatives of the National Park Service's regional trails office will present a plan to conduct a three year determination study to verify the history of the Butterfield Trail. The Fayetteville Town Center is located at 15 W Mountain Street. Frank Norris, the NPS office historian is quoted as saying, "Northwest Arkansas has been a real hotbed of interest...we're pleasantly surprised to see that level of interest." The nearby town of Lowell, AR was originally named "Mudtown" by a driver on the Butterfield Stagecoach Line, as the roads were so muddy at the time the stagecoach made stops there. Elkhorn Tavern, at Pea Ridge National Military Park, was also a Butterfield Stagecoach stop, and one old building at Springdale, AR still stands...it was a combination restaurant, hotel and depot for the stagecoach. Of course, the stagecoach at SDC was named in honor of the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. I'll try to keep you posted on this, if there is an interest.
