Butterfield Overland Trail exhibit closes Saturday, August 2 at 3 pm so don't miss this chance to see it.
This vivid exhibit by Marjorie Reed brings to life the rugged journey of the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage, one of America's earliest overland mail routes which stretched from Missouri to California, carrying passengers and mail through Arizona. Reed traveled the route of the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage from the late 1930s-1940s, sketching out various points along the trail.
In 1858, John Butterfield won a government contract to carry mail from St. Louis to San Francisco twice a week. He employed over 800 people and ran up to 250 coaches, 1,000 horse and 500 mules.
We are grateful to Historical League member Davie Garrison who co-ordinated the donation of painter Marjorie Reed’s Butterfield Overland Stage paintings to the Arizona Heritage Center. Born in Springfield, Illinois, raised in Los Angeles and later living in Tombstone, AZ, Marjorie Reed painted western scenes, including Butterfield Overland Stage coaches and cowboys, horses and people on the Overland Mail Route. Marjorie took organ lessons from Davie as did Mache Tuveson and they became good friends. Dr and Mrs. L.L. Tuveson donated the paintings to the AZHC.
