In July of 1850, the first government-sanctioned mail delivery route was inaugurated between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe using the Cimarron Cutoff branch of the Santa Fe Trail. The monthly stage also carried passengers and baggage for a one-way summer fare of $100 for the three and-a-half week trip. The letter rate was 3 cents. Increasing Indian troubles and irregular service led to a change in the route to the Mountain Branch over Raton Pass in 1861, stopping at Maxwell's ranch in Cimarron.

In 1866, Barlow, Sanderson & Company obtained the route. The discovery of gold on Baldy Mountain the same year led to the opening of a branch line through the canyon from Cimarron to Virginia City two years later. This building was used as the local stage office from 1870 until the mail route closed in 1880 with the coming of the railroad to Springer, 25 miles to the

east. It was then used as a Wells Fargo Office and later converted into a mercantile store in the early 1900s.

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