Riders could deliver mail in just 10 days, compared to the three weeks traditional stagecoach delivery required. There were 190 stations along the long and arduous route used by the pony express. Joseph, missouri and san francisco, california, from april 3, 1860 to october 1861. Mail took about 10 12 days to get from missouri to california. Its purpose is to preserve the original pony express trail and to continue the memory and importance of pony express in american history in partnership with the national park service, pony express trail association, and the oregoncalifornia trails association. Yet im intrigued by the history of the pony express trail and reckon its as good a way as any to get to california. The first part of the book is a short history of the pony express, and actually packs a lot of information into eighty pages, give or take. This relay system along the pony express national historic trail crossing eight states was the most direct and practical means of eastwest communications in 1860. William hill is the author of several books on historic, western trails including the oregon trail, yesterday and today.
The story of the pony express represents one of the most romantic chapters in the history of the american west. William lightfoot visschers book, however, is a rollicking yarn that helped create the lasting legend of the pony express. Mar 01, 2010 about another 25% is devoted to the history of the pony express and various maps a very good foldout map of the pony express routes is also included. The history of the pony express the pony express was a private mail service which operated between st. In the brief history of the pony express, it only happened once that the mail did not go through. Along the route visitors can enjoy history and a variety of recreation. The pony express, during its 19 months of existence, made stops at more than 150 stations across the american west. Written about 100 years ago, this history of the pony express is a fun and interesting read. A thrilling and truthful history of the pony express. The real story behind the pony express wells fargo history.
This relay system along the pony express national historic trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of eastwest communications before the telegraph. This book is well organized and well researched, providing historical. Using the pony express, mail could arrive in california in as few as 9 days rather than the weeks it took to arrive when sent by horse carriage. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service. Pony express route april 3, 1860 october 24, 1861 pictorial map. An exciting western adventure from four western authors the sheriff nate keys western adventure. The pony express national historic trail is the route where young men on horseback once carried the nations mail across the country between 1860 and 1861. Pony express was the quickest mail route of its time and i could compare this to. Riders would stop every 16 to 24 kilometers 10 to 15 miles to hop onto a fresh horse at the four to six relay. For a solid history on the express and to learn more about the amazing men who carried the mails, see some of the following books. They also failed to recognize that russell, if not the other owners of the firm, was a con man and. Later trips made the distance in eight or nine days. Bibliography pony express national historic trail u. Saga of the pony express provides a solid overview but does not consider how the story of the pony express came to be.
Read stories about the pony express national historic trail and browse the exhibits you can visit along the route. Joseph to kansas, it followed what is modern day us 36the pony express highwayto marysville, kansas, where it turned northwest following little blue river to. Studded with 153 stations, the pony express trail used 80 riders and between 400 and 500 horses to carry mail from the settled midwest to the new state of california. Some interesting material is found in inman and codys salt lake trail. The travelers guide to the pony express trail historic.
Young men once rode horses to carry mail from missouri to california in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. April 3, 2010 was the pony express 150th anniversary. If you want to know even more, find books to read in our bibliography. Joseph, missouri, and sacramento, california, relaying mail and telegraph messages in as little as 10 days. The story of the pony express project gutenberg australia. The pony express officially lasted from 3 april 1860 to 26 october 1861, although a few scattered runs were made through november. Even though his father is a pony express rider they meet together and help each other out. On april 3, 1860, a new crosscountry mail carrier called the pony express began operation.
This book was written by a man who traveled on the pony express trail in a. Shows route of pony express with names and location of relay stations. Pony express fastest mail across the west legends of. The first ride of the pony express read an excerpt travel with the first pony express riders through the dramatic and dangerous wild west in a celebration of americas finest frontiersmen. Read stories about the pony express national historic trail and. Pony express history in the best childrens books k8. Pony express stations across the american west legends. And with its romantic existence and its place in history the succeeding pages of this book. Russell had an idea that would allow pony and horse riders to ride across the country in order to deliver mail more quickly. Abundantly illustrated with a farranging selection of archival. History westward expansion the pony express was a mail delivery service that ran between missouri and california.
In 1860, the first pony express rider set out on a trail from missouri to california. Called the greatest enterprise of modern times, the endeavorwhich lasted only nineteenth monthsrecruited young men willing to risk life and limb in a relay race that crossed the frontier on a route from st. The horseandrider system became the united states most direct and practical means of eastwest. His route took him along what we now call the oregoncaliforniamormon trail. Pony express national historic trail travel guide at. Pony express national historic trail in the united states is the historic route of the pony express where men on horseback once carried the nations mail across the country between 1860 and 1861. Connected by a series of relay stations along a central trail, the mail carriers would ride a horse at full gallop, and then just as their horse was tiring. Pony express books pony express books is my way to restore my mind after 20 years with a megacompany where i suffered wit pony express books dexter united states bookstore specializing in cooking, dc graphic novels, firearms, marvel graphic novels, religion, western history. Western audio books the story of the pony express the story of the pony express offers an in depth account behind the need for a mail route to connect the eastern u.
Joseph, missouri, and sacramento, california, and from sacramento to san francisco, california, by steamer april 1860october 1861. The bulk of the book, however, is a trip along the trail with then and now pictures and illustrations of the nearly 200 stations along the route though the national park service lists only 147. In 1860, the first pony express rider set out on a trail from missouri to. Western audio books the story of the pony express youtube. And luckily, there are several great childrens books on the topic. The horseandrider system became the united states most direct and practical means of eastwest communications before the telegraph, delivering mail in the unprecedented time of ten days. In 1935, the diamond jubilee of the pony express, a second reride of the route was made, sponsored by the oregon trail memorial association. To begin tracing the hoofprints of the pony visit the camp floyd stagecoach inn state park on state highway 73, 5 miles south of cedar fort. The 20yearold was scheduled to make his usual 75mile run from fridays station east to. For a brief 19month period, daring young couriers raced the 1,966 miles between st. Joseph, missouri, to sacramento, california the pony express could deliver a letter faster than ever before. Reminiscences and authentic history of the great overland stage line and pony. Pony express ads recruiting riders said orphans preferred.
She read several books from our library detailing the history and locations of the trail and the stations. Lc trails, available also through the library of congress. Dec 07, 2016 western audio books the story of the pony express the story of the pony express offers an in depth account behind the need for a mail route to connect the eastern u. Connected by a series of relay stations along a central trail, the mail carriers would ride a horse at full gallop, and then just as their horse was tiring change horses at the next station. Aug 29, 2018 in may 1860, robert pony bob haslam took off on the most legendary ride in pony express history. Orphans preferred was the call that went out to the daring of heart when the pony express was organized nearly 150 years ago in april 1860. It sounds good in print, but the advertisement didnt come into existence until 1923 for a magazine cover, said pat hearty of south jordan, utah division president for the national pony express association.
The history and legacy of americas most famous mail. The remainder has small sections covering riders, stations and various museums of interest. Explains the route of the pony express and accounts from pony express riders. A pony express rider passes workers building the transcontinental telegraph line.
The pony express was the first rapid transit and the first fast mail line across. Also included is a good bibliography detailing books for further reading. I recommend this to kids who like stories that have adventure and with kids who are brave. The pony express began april 3, 1860, and it operated for only 18 months at which time the transcontinental telegraph began operation. Although a financially disastrous brief enterprise, the pony express and. The pony express history is one aspect of american frontier history that children love to learn about. William buffalo bill cody pictured became a pony express rider at age 15, and claimed to have arrived at a relay station to find the relief rider dead, whereupon he mounted a fresh horse, rode to the next station, and made the return ride, covering a distance of around 325. Every june, wild west aficionados recreate the era in the pony express reride, in which a team of 550 riders. Raymond and mary settle made one of the few serious attempts to write a pony express history. Nov 15, 2018 a pony express rider passes workers building the transcontinental telegraph line. On april 3, the date that the pony express began, celebration activities began across the nation.
The first run of the pony express had taken ten days to cover 1966 miles. Just like the pony express riders themselves, this is a fastpaced but at the same time enjoyable and meaningful read of a very significant period in american history. Dec 22, 2009 orphans preferred was the call that went out to the daring of heart when the pony express was organized nearly 150 years ago in april 1860. The outfit actually began as a publicity stunt, in hopes of winning a milliondollar government mail contract for the central overland california and pikes peak express company, a freight and stage organization. Reports from the trail national pony express association. More substantial remains survive at cold springs, 32 miles east, where plaques recount the history and a trail brings you to what was once among the most isolated and dangerous of the pony express stations.
Starting with the foundation of the pony express in the controversy around slavery and the missouri compromise and the role the express played in keeping california in the union as a free state. The pony express trail national backcountry byway begins near fairfield and ends at ibapah, utah. Provides a vivid history of americas twelve national historic trails including the pony express national historic trail, a listing of points of interest, and helpful. In 1992 the pony express national historic trail, which covers the entire route followed by pony express riders, was designated part of the national trails system see national parks and monuments table. It shows how a little boy and his father be together and have a happy life. It operated as a private enterprise, but beginning on 1 july 1860, it. Trip planning begins with an internet search and buying a couple of pony express books. The pony express national historic trail goes through blm managed lands in california, colorado, nevada, utah, and wyoming. While the popular conception of the pony express is significantly different than the reality, the reality is pretty entertaining too. It details why and how it was founded, how it operated, who worked for it, why it was discontinued, and why it is legend.
Mar 01, 2010 distributed by the university of nebraska press for caxton press it operated less than two years. The pony express was the first express mail line across the united states. She read about a geocaching challenge to find certain pony express related geocaches in each of the states through which the original riders carried the mail. In operation for only 18 months between april 1860 and october 1861, the pony express nevertheless has become synonymous with the old west. Fun pony express lesson for kids 123 homeschool 4 me. But the pony express delivered the mail across a continent at a critical time and captured the imagination of people all over the world like. Most of the books listed below attempt to be purely factual. Yesterday and today and millions of other books are. The pony express national historic trail is a united states national historic trail commemorating the mail service route through the old west, between st. Distributed by the university of nebraska press for caxton press it operated less than two years. The pony express was a mail service delivering messages, newspapers, and mail using relays. It was an astonishing fact that a letter could be delivered across the 1,800 mile trail in only 10 days. Adult groups and day trips start your own trail story looking for an unforgettable group visit or day trip.
Buffalo bill cody was just 14 years old, so the story goes, when he made his worldfamous ride for the pony express. Gather with friends, family or colleagues typically 20 or more people and a knowledgeable friendly guide will walk with you through the thrilling years of the pony express. Mar 25, 2020 the first part of the book is a short history of the pony express, and actually packs a lot of information into eighty pages, give or take. During its height of service in the early 1860s, the pony express was the main conduit of information from coast to coast. About another 25% is devoted to the history of the pony express and various maps a very good foldout map of the pony express routes is also included. It was the middle of june when the pony express was reestablished, and in the first news received was the announcement of the nomination of abraham lincoln for the presidency.
It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from missouri to california in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. The pony express rides on a history of the central overland pony express 18601861 between saint joseph, missouri and sacramento and san francisco, california. The first book of its kind, seven trails west explores the major routes that linked the eastern united states to the far west. Pony express route april 3, 1860 october 24, 1861 copy. In august, approximately 300 boy scouts participated in the reride of the pony express historic trail. Leaving red buttes on the north platte river near presentday casper, wyo.
She could not rise to the challenge then, but she followed, continue reading. The route roughly followed the oregon trail, mormon trail and california trail. We started out by learning about the pony express see books above and how it carried mail to the west coast during a crucial time in american history right before the civil war. Although only in operation for about 18 months, the pony express is the most famous mailing system in american history. Its existence was brief but picturesque, and the pony express lives in legend as well as in history. The first pony express mail traveled by horse and rider relay teams.