Stagecoach Trails
Stagecoach Routes in Hamilton County
Prepared by Martin E. Nass
The earliest stagecoach came to Hamilton County in about 1853. The last stagecoach passed through the county in 1869. The reason for the end of the stagecoach travel was the advent of the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad. A one day a week stagecoach trip was made north from Webster City to Goldfield for a short time after that, but all lines ceased operation by 1870.
At the left is a crude outline of Hamilton County which shows the locations of Pea's Point in Boone County; Hook's Point and Homer in what was then Webster County but is now in Hamilton County (the name change occurred in 1857); and Border Plain's in Webster County. This stage line was operated by Western Stage Line. It originated in Montana (now Boone, Iowa) in 1853. It came through Pea's Point and entered what is now Hamilton County, passing through Hook's Point, crossing the Boone River at Fishtrap Ford, and continuing up to Homer (at one time the county seat of Webster County. There it turned west to pass through Border Plains and continued on to Fort Dodge.
Another stagecoach came north from Nevada, entering the southeastern part of our county along the Skunk River. It passed through Randall, Lakin's Grove, Skunk Grove (later renamed Rose Grove) and then turned west to pass through Newcastle (now Webster City). It crossed the Boone River at Millard's Ford (about five miles south of Webster City) and followed Millard's Lane into town. From there it went west to Fort Dodge, passing through Russell's Grove on the way. This line dates back to about 1854.
The route from Montana (now Boone) was rerouted from Homer in about 1855, passed through Saratoga, crossing the Boone River at Olmstead's Ford and continuing north to Webster City and then west to Fort Dodge. For a short time, this coach stopped at Tunnel Mill.
Next in the progression the stagecoach came into Webster City from Iowa Falls and Alden. This change was made in about 1860 when the line from Nevada was discontinued. The line went to Skunk Grove, then continued west to enter Webster City on the Dubuque Street bridge. It came down Dubuque Street, crossed the bridge, and continued west to cross the Public Park (now Twin Parks) and stop at Walter Willson's hotel, Willson House. Then it continued west to Fort Dodge. This stage operated until 1869 when the train arrived. First it came one day a week, then two day, then 3 days, and finally five days a week. After about 1862 the route was shortened be eliminating Skunk Grove (Rose Grove) and creating a North Skunk Grove on a more direct path to Webster City. This created Hawley as a stagecoach stop. The stationmaster's desk from Hawley was preserved and placed in the Depot Museum.
One last route to mention was a short route that ran only one day a week from Webster City to Goldfield. It ran north from Webster City and crossed the Boone River at McLaughlin's Ford, near the settlement of Oak Glen, then continuing west through Bach Grove and up to Goldfield. At times, this coach crossed a mile north at Rocky Ford.