Hughes’ Ranch, also called Nine Mile Station, stood on the Jules Stretch of the trail along Lodgepole Creek and was added on July 1, 1861, as one of two new stations built because the existing stations were too far apart for a near daily stagecoach and a twice a week Pony Express service going both ways under a new mail contract. It was not one of the original stations, which along this part of the trail were Overland City (Julesburg), Pole Creek, Mud Springs, and Chimney Rock. The stretch was named for Jules Beni, who ran the stage station at Overland City and for whom Julesburg was named. Hughes’ Ranch and Texas, also known as Pole Creek No. 2, served both the stagecoach and the Pony Express until November 20, 1861.