Dusting Off the Butterfield Trail uncovers the fading remnants of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail route in Vail, Arizona. The film brings the past into focus, revealing the landscapes and stories that shaped the mid-19th century American Southwest. Through expert insights and Indigenous perspectives, Dusting Off the Butterfield Trail examines the trail’s impact beyond Manifest Destiny narratives, highlighting its role in migration, commerce, and cultural exchange. This film reinterprets history through the lens of those who lived it, offering a deeper understanding of how the trail continues to shape the present.
Retrace the path of the Butterfield Overland Mail through Tucson, Arizona. Discover how this short-lived stage line (1858-1861) shaped the city's growth and development, and learn about the fascinating interplay between geography, water, and human history along the way. We explore three key sites: The Calle Real, the Nine Mile Water Hole, and Point of Mountain, uncovering hidden layers of Tucson's past.
Gerald Lamb, Videographer and Editor
Helen Erickson, Project Coordinator
Rudy Malusa, Arial Videographer and Grip / Lighting Assistant
Gerald T. Ahnert, Historian
Kasey Green, GIS
Sonya Norman, Geologist
Scott O’Mack, Archaeologist and Historian
Kenneth Scoville, Historian and Photo Researcher
This project was funded by grants from the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area and the Southwestern Foundation for Education and Historical Preservation. Additional support was provided by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, the Arizona Preservation Foundation, and AZGeo. Special thank you to the estate of Guy Greene.