Isaiah C. Woods, operating manager of the San Antonio–San Diego Mail while establishing the route, described Peterman's Station on his return from San Diego on November 9, 1857: November 9 – Today we left Peterman's station, (on the bank of the Gila,) consisting of a log house and excellent corral, built since I passed here.

Peterman told me he had built this station, which he intended making his permanent residence, in order to obtain the business of the main line.

Already this enterprising pioneer has contracted with a party of Mexicans to build a main irrigating ditch from the Gila, with branches sufficient to enable him to cultivate several hundred acres of land.

I made such arrangements for him, by writing to an agent at Fort Yuma, as would secure the necessary barley for seed, making at the same time a conditional purchase of all his crop.

[1]By the time of the Civil War Petermans was called Mohawk Station in Union Army reports.