By Tina Clark
Historian/Archaeologist for the Yuma Crossing Heritage Area

The first mail route to San Diego started with solitary riders carrying mail in their saddlebags from San Antonio through Yuma to San Diego, a distance of 1475 miles. In 1857 stages replaced the express riders and added commercial passenger transportation.

An advertisement of the Stage Company dated Oct 1, 1858 reads: "Passengers and Express Matter forwarded in NEW COACHES, drawn by six mules over the entire length of our line, excepting from Fort Yuma to San Diego, a distance of 180 miles, which we cross on mule back Thurs." Nicknamed the "Jackass Mail", passengers were required to mount mules and ride them instead of the stage on the stretch of rough road from the Yuma Crossing across the Colorado Desert Sand Hills and into the California mountains. Passengers endured many other difficulties on the trip; poor food, uncomfortable accommodations, intense heat, scorching sun, dust, frequent breakdowns, little sleep, miles of walking and the stubborn mules. The fare, one way, including meals, was $200. Each passenger was allowed 30 pounds.

The ad also read "An armed escort travels through the Indian country with each Main Train, for the protection of the Mails and Passengers." Passengers prepared for the worst when they rode the Jackass Line, and for good reason. The greatest Apache danger came in the stretch of desert between Tucson and Oatman Flats, 90 miles east of Yuma. The following San Diego Herald November 21, 1857 describes the experience as follows: "Each man proposing to go, should provide himself with a rifle and 100 cartridges; a Colt’s revolver and two pounds of balls, knife, and sheathe; …and such money as he takes should be in silver and small gold."