According to the ADG yesterday, the Butterfield Overland Mail Route may become a new national trail. The National Park Service will make a study of the trail. Between 1858 and 1861 wagons traveled the trail's 2,800 miles from St. Louis and Memphis to San Francisco, with stops in El Paso, Texas, and Fort Yuma, Arizona. The trip took about 23 days by stagecoach under contract to John Butterfield, a businessman. (The ADG link requires a subscription but here is the full article.)

The interest in Arkansas is focused on the NW corner of the state. The local historians who are interested want to determine the trail's exact route and see the route added to the National Trails System.

See also here. And here.