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This Day in Arkansas History

November 6, 1808

Geologist George William Featherstonhaugh married Sarah Duane of Schenectady, New York. Featherstonhaugh was appointed to make a geological survey of Arkansas, and as he did, he recorded life in the early Arkansas Territory, later publishing his observations as Excursion Through the Slave States.

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John Butterfield

In 1857, Congress awarded a six-year contract worth $600,000 to John Butterfield to build, within one year, a mail route from the Mississippi River to California. When the Butterfield Overland Stage Route was completed, the 141-station, 2,812-mile stagecoach/mail route was the longest in the world. Entering Arkansas from Missouri and Tennessee, the first coach stop in Arkansas on the inaugural trip was at a spring near present-day Rogers (Benton County), with Butterfield himself as a passenger. The route was ultimately a financial failure, and by 1860, Butterfield was forced out of the company due to debt.

 

In 1857, Congress awarded a six-year contract worth $600,000 to John Butterfield to build, within one year, a mail route from the Mississippi River to California. When the Butterfield Overland Stage Route was completed, the 141-station, 2,812-mile stagecoach/mail route was the longest in the world. Entering Arkansas from Missouri and Tennessee, the first coach stop in Arkansas on the inaugural trip was at a spring near present-day Rogers (Benton County), with Butterfield himself as a passenger. The route was ultimately a financial failure, and by 1860, Butterfield was forced out of the company due to debt.

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About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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