New Pass Station Churchill County   39.58181, -117.53465

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"What an awesome site. The canyon walls, the rabbitbrush in bloom ... the rock walls without one hint of sound to be heard. New Pass is quintessential historic Nevada." -- Journal Entry, October 2009

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Along US 50, approximately 25 miles west of Austin

Original Date Visited: 10/26/09

Signed: Both lanes of US 50

Exact Description:
In 1861, the rocks composing the walls of the stage station and freighter stop were in neat rows and roofed with bundles of willow. It was one part of "stagecoach king", John Butterfield's Overland Mail & Stage Company road systems, which at the time began traversing this central route between Salt Lake City, Utah and Genoa, Nevada.

The natural spring here was inadequate for both humans and horses. However, division superintendant Thomas Plain's support ranch, one mile to the west, kept this important team-watering and stock replacement stop operating.

Completion of the first transcontinental railroad meant the eventual demise of the Overland Stage Line. In 1866, Butterfield sold out to Wells Fargo and Company. By February 1869, Wells Fargo suspended all operations on the central route and the New Pass Station faded into history.

Next Marker:

TOQUIMA CAVE

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Related Links & Markers:

 Overland Mail Route (Legends of America) 

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