Pony Express

The only remaining pony express station standing on it’s historic location. 

Amazing facts about the Pony Express: 

• It was only in existence for 18 months. Completion of telegraph lines from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA eliminated the need for the express. 
• The owners hoped to get Federal mail contracts. The Civil War put and end to those hopes – other priorities. 
• The fastest passage was 8 days, 7 hours. From Atchison, KS to Sacramento, CA. 
• Relay posts were 11 to 15 miles apart – horses were changed here. 
• Stations were 75 miles apart – riders were changed here. Stations were often existing hotels or farms which expanded into hotel work to support riders and the overland stages. 
• Of 89 riders, only one died on the job. Station and relay personnel had much higher casualty rates – they were stationary targets. 
• Without the mail contracts, the company went bankrupt. Wells Fargo and Overland Stage Company bought their assets. 
• No diaries were kept and any records that did exist were lost in bankruptcy or fire. The whole story of the express could have been lost to history except for two factors. Stagecoach passengers would see the express riders and their stories and embellishments romanticized the young men which in turn prompted news coverage during the era. Bill Cody hired several riders for his Wild West Show. Part of the extravaganza was to have the Pony Express riders race around the ring with Indians in hot pursuit. The Riders always won. 
•  A special ‘mochila’ was designed for the riders. It was easy to throw over the saddle for fast horse changes, held 4 oversized pockets for mail and newspapers, and provided a uniform smooth surface to protect a mans tenders from the rigors of long days astride a galloping horse. 
• The fastest transit time was 8 days 7 hours. 
• Individual riders were know to have traveled as much as 120 to 140 miles in a single day. Even at an average speed of 11 miles per hour – that was a very long gallop on horseback. 
• Riders were issued Bibles. Even though they were small versions – weight was a big concern. Riders typically carried only a pistol for defense to eliminate the weight of a rifle.