Authorized by the Territorial Legislature in 1877, this 240 mile route from Bismarck to Deadwood provided a direct stage line between the two places. It was originally routed by the Northwest Express & Transportation Company and serviced by twenty stations with two overnight stations. The first stages traveled the route on 11 April 1877, carrying 68 passengers. A total of 26 Concord Stages and 200 teams made up the rolling stock, and one-way fare was $23.00. The route carried hundreds of passengers and tons of freight until about 1880, when a closer route for immigrants from Pierre, SD by the same company reduced daily runs over this route to three per week, and the stage line was eventually virtually discontinued in favor of railroads.