[Butterfield Trail] Dragoon Springs Station and a What-Not Shoppe - (Day 9, Pt. 1) [4K]

I enjoyed a quiet night sky, before sleeping in the stronghold of Cochise, who was, in the words of Tom Morello, "the last great American Indian chief to die free and absolutely unconquered," The night he died, his warriors painted his body yellow, black, and vermilion, and took him deep into the Dragoon Mountains. They lowered his body and weapons into a rocky crevice, the exact location of which remains unknown. Today, however, that section of the Dragoon Mountains, deep within the Coronado National Forest, is known as Cochise’s Stronghold.
I can see why this area would have made a great Apache stronghold. Remote access to an easily defensible, high ground position, with beautiful running creeks and rock formations… and deer (see it?)
And if you look real close, you might see Cochise, himself, starin’ at you, through the trees.
From the campground I stayed at, there were plenty of hiking trails that would have been great to explore, but I needed to be on the opposite side of the Dragoon Mountains for my next stop, one of the most in-tact ruins found on the entire Southwestern leg of the Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Mail Route…
But first, my travels would find a chance encounter In the delightful area of Dragoon Springs, where I met Woody Adams at his ‘What-Not Shoppe’. Woody told me the unique history of the area and the Butterfield Trail , as only the locals know. I was fortunate enough to have captured some of that oral history on recording, and will share it with you as it was intended to be heard now, unedited.
Woody then told me the “scenic - route”; I set off into the Dragoon Mountains, this time on the northern side, to find the ruins of the Dragoon Springs Station.
I also wanted to share you this preserved and thinly-sliced cactus that Woody had cut.
On May 5, 1862, a small band of mounted Confederates escorting Union prisoners to Texas were encamped at the old Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach station when they were ambushed and skirmished with A force of about 100 Chiricahua Apache warriors, commanded by the aforementioned Cochise and other legendary Apache Chief, Francisco Three Confederate soldiers and a young Mexican stock herder were killed. The Apaches succeeded in capturing a large number of livestock and horses. This minor skirmish is also the Confederacy's westernmost battle deaths, and is the only known engagement in which Confederate soldiers were killed within the modern confines of Arizona. It is often included as a part of the Apache Wars fought between Apaches and Americans between 1851-1900.
A short walk from the sign, you are taken to a fenced in area and immediately are presented with the remaining structure of a Butterfield Overland Mail Swing station, home to the Chiricahua Apaches, Spanish, Mexicans, and finally the Americans showed up to the Dragoon Springs, because every wanted the water from the springs. Just as this spring was a contested, strategic resource in the region, the station itself was no stranger to controversy
Additionally, it was around this point of the trip that I did some quick troubleshooting and got my drone up and working again…

[@chrischapman276]

The next adventure you decide to do in this area make sure to make a left at mile marker 48 on the 181. Go through the first gate and I'll get the "doorbell" alerting me you're here. I've always got a couple ribeye and some bud light ready to go.
The view you showed when panning the 360 at the springs is pretty close to exact view I have every morning opening up the blinds. The seclusion. The quiet. The lack of those that I left when I left the state I grew up in for the last 51 years of life. It's a very refreshing change with the slight culture shock of what you had seen for amenities as well. I won't admit the state I moved from but, let's just say, it's a "little bit " West of this one.
The peaceful living of not being able to see the nearest neighbor without a ladder in the yard is quite nice. The people here are amazing. The history.... The HISTORY is going to take quite some time to be able to retain but can not wait to find out all I can during this time.
The gentleman at the "what not shop"... I've got to meet that man! Sounds like we'd get along just fine.
Great video and, now that I was able to through this out, I'm off to "part 2"

[@KenDignam]

Great video, imagine doing that journey in a wagon 🇬🇧

[@jerryjones188]

Very nice video, as is Part 2 of Day 9. I, like you and Earl Harvey, agree that the site of Dragoon Springs Station is the original site. There was a very violent history here, as there was at ANY water spring in this part of the country. The Butterfield was predicated on getting from one precious water source to another. Therefore, in the remote areas where people gathered, conflict was inevitable. I have been to this station once, and will visit it again this fall or winter. I was unaware that Silas St. John had actually wounded one of the Mexican laborers/ambushers with a gun. Silas survived because maggots cleaned his wounds and kept infection at bay, but he was parched from thirst and lucky somebody found him. A surgeon from Camp Crittenden, I think, was sent for and amputated Silas' wounded arm, and the amputated arm is buried somewhere on the Dragoon Springs Station site. The entire state of Arizona is full of fascinating history, but the Butterfield has been a focus of mine for a good while. Your videos are taking me on adventures I will personally be enjoying myself, or I already have. You do a great job with the videos.

[@gringo3009]

Good stuff!

[@MASSExpedition]

Thank you, Gringo!

[@jitterspec]

Just came back from dragoon and watched your video. Definitely need to get back. I heard that the apache burial routine was to push cochise and a horse off a cliff so the cheif could take a horse into the afterlife

[@MASSExpedition]

Fantastic, haven't heard this routine before. I hope he's riding out there, somewhere in the great beyond.

[@earlharvey7887]

Having lived only 0ne half mile from the old stage station for 2 years and visited it over a dozen times, I have to respectfully disagree w/ the owner of the " what not shop ". I have hiked the trail to the actual springs many times. It's about 1& one half miles. Up a rocky steep grade in places only a few feet wide and a very deep Arroyo on the left side going up. At the springs area it is a long decent to where the spring used to run. (Went dry after an earth quake around 1872). The entire area would be impossible to turn a stagecoach around including a team of horses. I actually discovered a water source only 200 yds from the station ruins.(directions and description for a later time) thanks for reading!!

[@MASSExpedition]

Earl, I believe you're correct. I am working on the conclusion of my investigation of the Dragoon Springs Station, and the remainder of my journey throughout this particular division of the Butterfield. Thank you for the feedback and insight, hope you enjoy.

[@mipmixchannel]

hi ME,
nice videos, i suggest to use a gimbal and you'll have a better quality ...
i found you 2-3 days ago ...
i see you are using a Land Rover for transportation ... you a just a fan of this rigs ? are you so confident to go in desert with a land rover instead a toyota ?
i'm asking because i saw a lot of pretty bad reviews for land/range rover ... and many other overlanders which are using toyota and jeep for overlanding ... rovers are very capables off road but if they "die" what for are they good ? did you had any issues ?
i'm on hyundai actually but is not easy to find any kind of lift kit for ...
thank you for an eventual answer !
have safe ways !

[@evandrobulling3214]

Congratulations!! I really like today’s video, I’m planning to drive from Houston to Tucson area during thanksgiving break and I’ll check it. I’m camping near Saguaro NP.

[@MASSExpedition]

Oh yeah man, you're gonna love it out in the desert. Check out Guadalupe Mountain in El Paso while you're headed that direction... I may have that video up before you leave. We will see. Either way, you can't go wrong with Saguaro.