The Edwards Store Along the Butterfield Overland Stage Route

The Edward Store was established in the early 1850's by Thomas & Nancy Hardaway Edwards, who made their way along the Fort Smith & Fort Towson Military Road before it became the Butterfield Overland Mail Stagecoach Route in 1857 - 1861. The Butterfield Overland Stagecoach shut down in 1861 during the time of the Civil War. After the Civil War ended, the store continued to be in use, without the Butterfield Stagecoach coming through. Many settlers have traveled along the old Military/Butterfield trail and stopped at the store for food and or overnight stay. In 1868, just a few distance, a town was settled just a half a mile from the store called, Red Oak. Edward used his store as a post office until moved to the new located Red Oak, just a few miles south of the store site in 1902 due to the crossing of the railroad.
The Edward store kept on operating until the early 1900's and the town started to dimmish through the years. Jesse Hardaway, kept up the place after his Aunt Nancy & Uncle Thomas passing in the mid to late 1800's.
Today, the cabin of Thomas & Nancy is still visible and under renovation by Chrissy Dickmeyer, a descendant of the Nancy Hardaway. ‪@AdventuresIntoHistory‬ ‪@okhistoricalsociety‬ ‪@ChoctawNationOK‬ ‪@barbaraschleiff3774‬ ‪@CC_Outdoors‬

[@decembergem4598]

Thank you for the tour. Very good advice, always know your surroundings.

[@deskgamesix]

Halito. Thank you for taking the time to make your informative videos. This is very interesting Oklahoma history.

[@joanm7873]

Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. This is such a wonderful video ❤️.

[@hizprezhistorydestination2024]

You are very welcome.

[@sandywetzel3383]

Thank you for the history.

[@hizprezhistorydestination2024]

You are very welcome

[@amywright2243]

Another interesting history site! I chuckled when you patted the wall. I know a few other historians who just can't resist touching history. 😊

[@hizprezhistorydestination2024]

Exactly! I know it always feels good to touch history knowing that at one time, the ones who were there before me to established that site.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

About the Nails crossing....my 3rd great grandparents owned 160 acres there and was called Smedley Prairie.

[@hizprezhistorydestination2024]

Oh wow, didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Have alot of stories....

[@hizprezhistorydestination2024]

@@mercedithcompala8148 I know not too far from the Nail crossing, just across the Blue River from the Nail's crossing stage stand was the Fort Mcculloch. I believe the Nails and Folsom grave is near there as well.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

@@hizprezhistorydestination2024 oh I am referring to is in the Gilmore area.I will get back to you.

[@geraldahnert5409]

John Butterfield died 1869 in his hometown of Utica, New York. He is buried in Utica's Forest Hill Cemetery.

[@robertlewis3116]

Cool video. The Butterfield went through Guadalupe Mountains National Park I believe but it was only for about a year and then the route or something changed. I can’t remember.

[@hizprezhistorydestination2024]

Oh wow! Are the wagon ruts still visible there?