Community Corner
Butterfield Overland Express Windpump in Mt. Helix
The windpump was part of a transcontinental stagecoach route on which mail was delivered in the mid-1800s.
In Vern and Barbara Neff's backyard off of Avocado Boulevard, there still stands a windpump that was believed to have been used back in the days of the Butterfield Overland Express, a stagecoach route that spanned from St. Louis, MO. to San Francisco in the mid-1800s.
Similar to the Pony Express, Butterfield was one of the first transcontitnental mail delivery services. It took approximately 22 days to get the mail and six passengers, one way. The Pony Express was faster, but they didn’t win the contract to deliveer mail from Missouri to California. Probably because it was John Butterfield’s motto, “Nothing Must Stop the Mail.” At one time they employed 800 people, had 139 relay stations, 1,800 horses and 250 stagecoaches. Butterfield was only operatational for about five years and it was not profitable. In 1861, the route was discontinued by the U.S. Postal Service.
The Neff's windpump still works, but with a 5-foot water table in their backyard, the pump would have their yard flooded in no time. The blades have been strapped down to stop them from moving and they now just enjoy its history.
