On a recent trip back home to eastern Missouri from western Colorado, we stopped at the Interstate 76 – Julesburg, Colorado, rest stop. We were greeted by an amazing Pony Express statue.
The birth of a legend
In the early 1860s, the United States was rapidly expanding westward. Communication across vast distances was a major challenge. Enter the Pony Express—a daring mail service that used a relay of horseback riders to deliver letters and news at record speeds.
Launched in April 1860 by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, I was surprised to learn that the Pony Express operation lasted only about 18 months. Even though it was short-lived, the Pony Express became an enduring symbol of the frontier spirit and the relentless push to connect our young and expanding nation.