Starting in 1858 , Butterfield stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers , freight , and great quantities of mail . Averaging 100 miles per day , drivers honored the government contract to complete the trip in 25 days or less . Stage stops were strictly for changing drivers , watering horses , and grabbing a hasty meal . Passengers paid $ 200 to experience an arduous , often dangerous trip , with rough roads , no overnight stays , and risk of robbery or worse .

For a brief time , Butterfield encountered competition from the Central Overland California and Pike ’ s Peak Express Company , famously known as the Pony Express . Using individual mounted riders , the coast-to-coast mail service was faster , but the riders could not carry the large volumes of mail hauled by stagecoach . While the Pony Express hired only single men , one of their most famous riders was Charley ( aka Charlotte ) Parkhurst , who masqueraded as a man to pursue her occupation , serving routes in the Santa Clara Valley and retiring in Watsonville .

When the Civil War erupted in 1861 , the U . S . government canceled the Butterfield Overland Mail service contract . By 1869 , the Transcontinental Railroad was completed , signaling the end of the stagecoach era . That same year , John Butterfield passed away , but the Butterfield Overland Trail is now part of the National Historic Trails System , and his legacy lives on .

Jill Jensen , Lead Planner for the National Park Service ’ s National Trails , is planning to visit South County this Fall , looking at route segments and local sites for inclusion on the National Historic Trail . Encouraged by the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission , South County history aficionados have put their heads together on this .

According to Mike Monroe , who is active in the restoration of the Henry Miller Red Barn in Gilroy , there may be linkages between Henry Miller ’ s cattle operation and the Butterfield Overland Stage Route through Pacheco Pass around 1857 .

Robin Shepherd is a documentary filmmaker . She directs and produces the Stories from the Past , and History Makers films with cinematographer / editor Nils Myers of 152 West Productions . Robin contributes this column on behalf of the Morgan Hill Historical Society .

gmhtoday . com gmhTODAY Magazine : Go . Make history ... SUMMER 2024 47