Resources
Historically Yours: USPO honors Pony Express
Historically Yours: Pony Express cuts mail delivery time in half In 1850, California joined the Union and a faster means of communication was needed between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. Three businessmen — William Russell, Alexander Majors and William Waddell — came up with a plan to reduce the delivery time by more than … Continued
Historically Yours: Pony Express cuts mail delivery time in half
In the 1840s, Missouri was at the western edge of civilization and the beginning of the wild west. California was “on the other side of the continent.” There was a whole world between Missouri and California with little to no communication between the two, and yet, people were flocking to that far away place. So … Continued
April 3 Top of the day
This day in history April 3, 1860: The first Pony Express mail, traveling by horse and rider relay teams, simultaneously leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. Read More …
Today in History, April 3
1860 1860: The legendary Pony Express began carrying mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. (The delivery system lasted only 18 months before giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.) Read More …
1860: Pony Express
In 1860, the legendary Pony Express began carrying mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. (The delivery system lasted only 18 months before giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.) Read More …
April 3: The end of Jesse James was just the beginning of a trail of blood
April 3, 1882, was a bad day for Jesse James. A very bad day, in fact. I’ve always been intrigued by his killing. It happened in my birthplace. St. Joseph, Mo., the place “where the Pony Express began and Jesse James ended.” My great-grandfather Elisha Powell even got a postmortem peek at the famous outlaw … Continued
YEARS AGO FOR APRIL 3
1860: The legendary Pony Express begins carrying mail between St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif. (The delivery system lasted only 18 months before giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.) Read More…
Today in Nebraska-April
April 3 1860 — The Pony Express began operations, crossing parts of Nebraska. Read More …
Pony Express: Van Sickle Station
The second Pony Express Station encountered when traveling east from Friday’s Station at the California/Nevada State Line is Van Sickle Station at the bottom of Old Kingsbury Grade in Carson Valley. In 1857, rancher Henry Van Sickle constructed a two-story hotel with a bar, kitchen and a store to cater to the needs of emigrants … Continued
History comes alive at Buckland Station
By March 1860, Buckland had erected a large ranch house that contained a trading post, tavern and hotel. He also agreed to allow the Pony Express to utilize his facility. Read More …