overland mail

American  

noun

U.S. History.

1. a government mail service, started in 1848, for sending mail from the Mississippi to the Far West.

2. (initial capital letters)  a stagecoach line, established in 1858, linking Memphis, St. Louis, and San Francisco, which was then paid by the government to carry U.S. mail to the Far West. With various changes in ownership, name, and routes it continued until the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

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Example Sentences

From 1858 to 1861, the Butterfield Overland Mail stage also stopped here on its daring 2,700-mile run between St. Louis and San Francisco.

From Washington Times

Most recently, he has been trying to solve the mysteries of the Butterfield Overland Mail stage coach station that once sat on the east bank, but was long ago erased by floods.

From Washington Times

The Republican Party has certainly come a long way since 1860, when they limited themselves to unambitious goals like a daily overland mail service.

From Slate

We poked around a few of the park’s Old West structures, like the rock ruins of the Pinery Station, once a stopover on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, and the rugged Frijole Ranch compound.

From New York Times

On this date in 1862, General Order Number 12, issued by headquarters column from California, authorized the establishment of Camp Bowie at the Apache Pass Overland Mail Station.

From Washington Times