Victor Walsh, State Park Historian

Starting on August 31, 2007, visitors to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the arrival of the first overland mail-passenger service to San Diego, California. 

 James E. Birch, a successful California stage line entrepreneur, received a contract from the Postmaster General on June 22 (not 12), 1857 to establish and operate the line between San Antonio, Texas and San Diego.  The route followed the old Southern Emigrant Trail across nearly 1,475 miles of largely desolate wilderness.  Mail was to be delivered twice monthly on a 30-day schedule.

 The first westbound mail left San Antonio on July 9.  Fifty-three days later, James E. Mason and Samuel Ames rode into Old Town on pack mules, ahead of the mud wagons carrying the mail bags.  The two riders were hailed on the plaza by two anvils firing 50 times.   Legend has it that the continuous booms shattered many a glass window.

 “It was looked upon,” the San Diego Herald later editorialized, “as the most important event which has ever occurred in the annals of San Diego, and undoubtedly constitutes an epoch in the history of the Pacific coast of the Union, which will be recorded and remembered with just pride, long after the mails will have been transported on the great continental railroad.” 

 This event marked a historic precedent for the future of San Diego, connecting it to the rest of the nation for the first time on a regular basis.  The delivery of mail by land or sea before this epic event took at the minimum several months.

 Interestingly, San Francisco detractors, upset that their city had not won the contract, referred to San Antonio-San Diego line as the “Jackass Mail” even though it used only full-bred Missouri mules. 

 The San Diego Herald proclaimed it “the most important event which has ever occurred in the annals of San Diego, and undoubtedly constitutes an epoch in the Pacific Coast of the Union, which will be recorded and remembered with just pride, long after the mails will have been transported on the great continental railroad, the first rail of which may be thus said to have been laid.”

San Diego Herald September 5, 1857

 “Considering the length of the route, the longest uninterrupted line in the U. States, if not in the world, it is worthy of remark that the contractors have never failed to make their schedule time since the second mail run. They have lost animals, wagons, and men, fought Indians, and conquered the desert, but they always bring their mails along inside of time. This shows the right kind of energy.”

San Diego Herald, January 9, 1858

 On the first run, they were setting up the line as the mule trains and coaches journeyed west across 1,450 miles of arid wilderness. Superintendent Isaiah C. Woods prepared the self-contained “outfit” for a journey across unsettled country with almost no existing infrastructure.

 The vehicles used were celerity or mud wagons, also called ambulances, the common military use for the same type of vehicle, rather than the better known Concord stagecoach seen in 20^th century western movies.

 Water holes may have been set up at 30 miles intervals but many were unmanned and actual stations could be separated by 100 miles.

 “Our train presents a singular appearance: two ambulances loaded down with baggage and the mail. Every part of the stage wher an article of luggage can be stored is filled. We can hardly find room to sit down. Our caravan is led by a drove of about 30 mules. These are guarded and driven by 4 men mounted on mules –two Mexicans – two Americans. They carry rifles strapped across the pummel [sic.] of their saddles, and large six shooters in their belts. We have large fierce looking fellows for drivers, who have been accustomed to frontier life and Indian fighting. They are armed the same as the guards. We have four passengers to each carriage, all of the well armed. We have forty –four shots in our carriage without reloading.”

Phocion R. Way Traveling eastward from San Antonio May 1858

Passenger stages traveled slower than the mule trains. In places passengers had to walk in order to relieve the fatigued mules. In October, 1857, it took the coaches from San Diego 23 days to arrive at Tucson, while the mule train with the mail made the same journey in seven.

 Travelers slept on the ground every night and meals were almost always prepared in the open. All meals appeared to have included beans (Mexican frijoles) and coffee as consistent staples.

 The San Antonio to San Diego line continued to operate along its entire length through August 1858, while the newly-formed Overland Mail Company, popularly known as the Butterfield Line, established a 3,000 mile stage route.

 John Butterfield of New York, headed a combine that collectively controlled the most powerful express companies on the East Coast. On July 7, 1857, they were awarded the contract to provide overland mail service between San Francisco and the Mississippi.

 The Postmaster General began reducing the service line of the San Antonio and San Diego line with the inauguration of Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company service.

 Newspapers in San Francisco and Sacramento, both connected to the Overland Mail, resented continuation of the San Antonio – San Diego, even in its limited form, dubbing it the “San Antonio & San Diego Jackass Overland Mail Route” and demanding that Congress “lop off this useless mail.” It was this attack that gave the line its nickname, “Jackass Mail.”

 With the outbreak of the Civil War in the spring of 1861, the Postmaster General stopped mail delivery on the Southern Route. Butterfield ceased operations in April 1861. Wells Fargo and Company began service along a new Central Route in July.

 An Isolated Frontier Outpost: Historical and Archaeological Investigations of the Carrizo Creek Stage Station

Stephen R. Van Wormer, Sue Wade, Susan D. Walter, and Susan ArterCalifornia State Parks, June 23, 2006

Saturday, September 1, 2007

 Personal Appearance: Gil Sperry author of Mariachi for Gringos will autograph books and demonstrate Mariachi music on keyboard. Gil Sperry lives with his wife, Priscilla, in Baja California, where he enjoys the Mexican lifestyle, food and music. He teaches elementary school in Chula Vista, California and is an avid sports enthusiast, fisherman and jazz aficionado.

Noon-5pm

 Made in Napa Valley: Uses the very best ingredients and manufactures their products in small batches, which enables them to create products that taste homemade and are rich flavor.Enjoy the tastes that California can bring to your table, including Apple Chipotle Glaze, Baja Marinade with Chiles & Lime to Mole with Sesame Seeds Simmering Sauce to name a few. Free cookbook valued at $35.00 (while supplies last) with any $25.00 purchase of Made in  Napa Valley products.

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

 Personal Appearance: Diana de Mexico hand paints children’s wooden guitars and other Mexican novelties with her daughter. Guitars can be personalized the day of the event.

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

 Personal Appearance: Meet Jim Kilthau, designer of Visaya Style Jewelry. This beautiful shell jewelry from the Philippines is designed in Southern California with the casual lifestyle in mind.

The Hundred Anvil Salute:

 The 150^th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Overland Mail has come to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Free Lecture Program

Saturday, August 25th, 2007: Please join us for the kick-off event at the McCoy House Interpretive Center in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to celebrate the 150^th Anniversary of the Overland Mail’s arrival in Old San Diego from San Antonio, Texas in 1857. Visitors will learn about the politics and rivalries behind the route’s establishment; the ordeal of crossing nearly 1,475 miles of wilderness; and the impact of this epoch event upon San Diego and Southern California.

 The featured speakers are:

1:00pm -2:10pm:           
Victor Walsh, State Park Historian:
‘No Dependence Upon the Mails’- Old San Diego before the Overland Mail.

 2:20pm-3:35pm:            
Steve Van Wormer, Historian:
‘From Ocean to Ocean in Stage Coaches:’ Establishment of the first Transcontinental Overland Mail

 3:45pm-4:30pm:           
Sue Wade, State Park Archeologist:
‘An Isolated Frontier Outpost on the Overland Mail Route: Archeology at the Carrizo Stage Stations in the Colorado Desert District, California State Parks’

Tour Historic Old Town

There are several types of tours to choose from. With a town as rich in culture as Old Town you could easily take more then one of these tours and gain multiple perspectives.

Boosters of Old Town
This non-profit organization leads tours through Old Town State Park only. Dedicated volunteers in period costume guide you on a walking tour of prominent Old Town landmarks that old and young alike will enjoy. For reservations (619) 469-3174.

City Sightseeing
Open top double decker bus. Tickets are good for two days. Hop on and hop off at various locations. Tours leave every half hour from Old Town. For reservations (619) 296-2400

Haunted San Diego
Suspensfully paced haunted tales, rich San Diego history and spooky fun. Guaranteed to raise your spirits. For reservations 1.877.6.HAUNTED

Heritage Tours of San Diego
The Tales & Trails of Historic Old Town San Diego, costumed guides tour the whole of Old Town from El Campo Santo Cemetery to the State Park. This is a great tour for families.
For reservations 619-491-0110.

Old Town Trolley Tours
Various tours will take you by trolley bus throughout San Diego. Perfect for the visitor who wants to take a load off their feet and enjoy the sites of San Diego by trolley. Conductors combine colorful anecdotes, humorous stories and historical information into a fast moving two-hour narrative that is both entertaining and educational.
For reservations 619-298-8687

Old Town State Park Tours
Park aides lead these informative and friendly tours. No reservations necessary; just show up at the Old Town visitor’s center at the Robinson Rose building on the plaza. Tours are free. This is a service provided by the State of California. For reservations 619-220-5422

Saturday  September 1, 2007 Overland Mail 150^th Anniversary
Old Town San Diego

10 AM Park Opens

11:00 AM Parade down San Diego Ave (30 minutes)

11:30 MAIL ARRIVES in OLD TOWN - PLAZA MAIN STAGE

11:30 Speeches, hand out mail,

11:50 Sea Shanty- Historic sailing songs (Plaza Stage)

12:00 San Pasqual Dragoons - Canon Fire (North end of Plaza-Caution horses)

12:00 Living History Demonstrations begin throughout the park.

12:30 Old Town Dancers, (Estudillo Courtyard) ?

12:00-12:20 PM Historical significance of the Overland Mail (Plaza Stage, Victor Walsh)

12:00-2:00 Wells Fargo Stage Coach Rides

12:30-12:50 PM Whaley House, Historical significance (Plaza Stage)

1:00 – 1:30 PM Spencer and Jackson 1800’s Tent Show (Plaza, limited seating)

1:00 Equestrian Show Demo-Seeley Yard- (Tony Munoz Trick Roping-20 minutes)

1:30 PM Mules, the backbone on the frontier  (Ramona Trail Assoc)

1:00 -4:00 Saddlery Display and Demonstration (Garry McClintock –Johnson House)

2:00 Dragoons in the West & Equestrian Show Demo-Seeley Yard-

2:15-2:30 Stage Coach Travel in the 1800’s (Skit, Plaza Stage, Plaza del Pasado & Staff)

2:30-2:55 Rededication ceremony (Wells Fargo)

3:00 San Pasqual Dragoons - Canon Fire (North end of Plaza-Caution horses)

3:00 -4:00 PM GUIDED TOUR Personalities of Old Town

3:00 PM Seeley Equestrian Show?

3:00-3:30 Plaza Main Stage Whaley House (Topic?, 1^st person? )

3:30-3:55 Sea Shanty Group (Plaza Main Stage)

3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Carriage Rides (Spring Time Carriages)

4:00-4:30 PM Spencer and Jackson 1800’s Tent Show (Plaza, limited seating)

4:00 Equestrian Show Demo -Seeley Yard- (Tony Munoz Trick Roping-20 minutes)

4:30-5:30      ? PLAZA MAIN STAGE

5:00 Equestrian Show Demo -Seeley Yard- (Dan Deponde & ???)

5:30 -8:30 PM PLAZA MAIN STAGE Contra Dance in the Plaza (Martha Wild)

5:00 -7:00 Card Games /Historic Games of chance (Commercial Restaurant)

 Entertainment

1:00 PM  & 4:00 PM Spencer and Jackson 1800’s Tent Show

(Ongoing Activity)Fort Tejon Dragoon Encampment (West Side of Estudillo)

San Pasqual Battlefield Association Dragoons (Canon Firing Demonstration 12:00 & 3 2:00 Dragoons in the West & Equestrian Demo (San Pasqual & Ft Tejon Seeley Yard)

Old Town Dancers  Sat 12:30 PM –1 :00 PM (Estudillo Courtyard)

Contra Dance MAIN STAGE 5:30 PM- 8:30 PM (Martha Wild)

 Live Musical Entertainment

Music Los Diegos (San Diego Ave & Twiggs) ?

4:30-5:30  ? Band PLAZA MAIN STAGE

Sea Shanty Singing group 11:50-12:00 PM Plaza Stage (Roving)

1:30-1:55 PM Print Shop, 3:30-3:55 PM Plaza Main Stage

 Equestrian Shows

1 PM & 4 PM Tony Munoz Trick Roping

2 PM Dragoons in the West & Equestrian Show Demo-Seeley Yard-(San Pasqual & Fort Tejon Dragoons)

3 PM Equestrian Demonstration ?

 Rides

Wells Fargo Wagon Rides Sat 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Spring time Carriages Friday 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sat 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 -4:00 PM

 Parade Participants (NOT IN MARCHING ORDER)

11:00 AM Marching Band in parade

Wells Fargo Stage Coach

Springtime Carriages

David Wolfe

Old Town Volunteers

Old Town Staff

San Pasqual Battlefield Association Dragoons

Fort Tejon Dragoons

Gary Turton with mule and caretta

Decendants of Old Town

Children of the American Revolution

Whaley House Staff & Volunteers

Ramona Trail Association

Sue &  Kirkwood – leading Mule Team into the Plaza with the Mail

 Living History Demonstrations and displays

Cooking, Candle dipping, butter churning Demonstrations – Machado-Stewart (Elizabeth Burress, Tatiana Watkins, Bethany Jordan)

 Saddlery and leather working demonstrations. Sat and Sun 1:00 -5:00 PM (Garry McClintock)

 Blacksmith Demonstrations. Friday 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sat 12:30 PM –

8:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 7 PM, and Monday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. (Todd Caffo)

 Print Shop – Sat 12:30 – 6:00 PM, Sun 12:00 – 6:00 PM .(Jim Wisel )