Pony Express
National Historic Trail

Established August 3, 1992. The route followed by the Pony Express riders for over 1,800 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. The trail passes through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Most of the original trail has been obliterated either by time or human activities. Along many segments, the trail's actual route and exact length are matters of conjecture. In the western states, the majority of the trail has been converted, over the years, to double track dirt roads. These are typically used by private working ranches. Short pristine segments, believed to be traces of the original trail, can be seen only in Utah and California. However, approximately 120 historic sites may eventually be available to the public, including 50 existing Pony Express stations or station ruins.

The Pony Express National Historic Trail was used by young men on fast paced horses to carry the nations mail across the country, from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, in the unprecedented time of only ten days. Organized by private entrepreneurs, the horse-and-rider relay system became the nation's most direct and practical means of east-west communications, before the telegraph. Though only in operation for 18 months, between April 1860 and October 1861, the trail proved the feasibility of a central overland transportation route, and played a vital role in aligning California with the Union in the years just before the Civil War.

VISITOR ACTIVITIES:
The National Park Service is currently developing a Comprehensive Maagement and Use Plan for the Pony Express National Historic Trail. When completed, it will describe the official auto tour route, list historic sites and cross-country segments, and make recommendations for resource protection, trail management and marking. Many of the sites and segments are on public land and are open to visitors. Others are located on private lands-please obtain the landowners permission before entry. For information about access and travel conditions along the trail, contact local offices of the Bureau of Land Management, the National Forest Service or the National Park Service Long Distance Trails Office. Agency addresses are listed below.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Federal Agencies:
The National Park Service (NPS) administers the Oregon, California, Pony Express and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails. Extensive information on trail routes and history is available from this office. Information on accessibility of specific trail segments is best obtained locally. Write National Park Service, Long Distance Trails Office, 324 South State Street, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0155, or call (801) 539-4093.

Scotts Bluff National Monument is a prominent natural landmark for emigrants on the Oregon and California trails. It has a visitor center, museum and bookstore. You can also drive or hike to the summit and visit trail ruts. Write Scotts Bluff National Monument, P.O. Box 27, Gering, Nebraska, 69341-0027, or call (308) 436-4340.

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) primary information office for the Oregon, California, Mormon and Pony Express National Historic Trails is the Historic Trails Office. It can provide a wealth of information on trail routes, historic sites, accessibility and trail conditions. Write Bureau of Land Management, Historic Trails Office, 1701 East E. Street, Casper, WY 82601, or call (307) 261-7648.

The Salt Lake District Office administers 133 miles of the Pony Express Trail across public lands in Utah. Management is shared between the Salt Lake and Richfield districts. Write Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake District Office, Pony Express Resource Area, 2370 South, 2300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84119, or call (801) 977-4377.

See note on BLM Salt Lake District above. Write Richfield District Office, 150 East, 900 North, Richfield, UT 84701, or call (801) 896-8221.

The Nevada State Office can provide general statewide information on the Pony Express and California Trails. More specific information can be obtained from the districts listed below, which provide on-the-ground management of the trails. Write Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office, 850 Harvard Waymore, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520, or call (702) 785- 6628.

The Carson City district office can provide information on the Sand Springs pony express station. It has archaeological, historical and recreational sites along U.S. Highway 50 in Churchill County, Nevada, and district recreation guide. Write Carson City, NV 89706-063850, Suite 300, or call (702) 885-6000.

The Battle Mountain District manages a segment of the Pony Express Trail in Nevada. It can provide information on accessibility and trail conditions across their management area. Write Bureau of Land Management, Battle Mountain District, 50 Bastian Rd, P.O. Box 1420, Battle, Mountain, NV 89820, or call (702) 635-4000.

State historic sites and organizations: Rock Creek Station State Historic Park is the road ranch which catered to stages, freight lines, and emigrant traffic on the Oregon Trail. It was used as a stage station and swing station on the Pony Express. It has an interpretive center, picnic and playground areas, hiking and nature trails, Oregon Trail ruts and modern campground. Write Rock Creek Station State Historic Park, 57425 710 Road, Fairbury, NE 68352, or call (402) 729-5777.

Fort Kearny State Historic Park was the first military post along the Oregon Trail: It has a museum, outdoor exhibits, and book store. There was a Pony Express Station in the vicinity of the fort. Write Fort Kearny State Historic Park, Route 4, Kearney, NE 68847, or call (308) 234-9513.

Private museums and cooperating organizations: Pony Express National Memorial was the starting point for the Pony Express route. It has a museum, and it can provide information on the total trail, books, brochures, a list of stations and rider and a driving route close to the trail. Write Pony Express National Memorial, P.O. Box 244, St. Joseph, MO 64502, or call (816) 279- 5059.

Patee House Museum has reconstructed offices of Russell, Majors and Waddell. It can provide the location of each station, information on the trail, museum store, books and videos. Write Patee House Museum, 12th and Penn, P.O. Box 1022, St. Joseph, MO 64502, or call (816) 232-8206.

Marysville Pony Express Barn has a museum-Pony Express Home Station #1. It is a small research library specializing in Pony Express history. Write Marysville Pony Express Barn, 106 S. 8th, Marysville, KS 66508, or call (913) 562-3825.

Pony Express Station was moved from original site, and rebuilt in Ehmen Park in 1931. Write Pony Express Station, 1617 Ave. A, Ehmen Park, Gothenburg, NE 69138, or call (308) 537-3505.

Fort Sedgewick Depot Museum was the site of a pony express station and Fort Sedgewick, which has exhibits and information on the Pony Express and South Platte River Trail. Write Fort Sedgewick Depot Museum, P.O. Box 69, Julesburg, CO 80737, or call (303) 474-2264.

Camping, travel and tourism facilities:
Missouri Division of Tourism
P.O. Box 1055
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Kansas Division of Travel and Tourism
400 SW Eighth Street, 5th Floor
Topeka, KS 66603
1-800-2-KANSAS

Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Travel and Tourism Division
P.O. Box 94666
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-3794

Colorado Tourism
1625 Broadway, Suite 1700
Denver, CO 80202

Wyoming Division of Tourism
I-25 at College Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82002
1-800-225-5996

Utah Travel Council
300 North State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
1-800-220-1160

Nevada Commission of Tourism
Capitol Complex
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-3636

California Office of Tourism
801 K Street, Suite 1600
Sacramento, CA 95814

RELEVANT BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS:
Benson, Joseph, The Traveler's Guide to the Pony Express. Helena, Montana, 1995.

Bloss, Roy S., Pony Express the Great Gamble. Berkeley: Howell- North, 1959.

Carter, Kate B., Utah and the Pony Express. Salt Lake City, 1947.

Chapman, Arthur, The Pony Express. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1932.

DiCerto, Joseph, The Pony Express, Hoofbeats in the Wilderness. Franklin Watts, 1989.

Hafen, LeRoy R., The Overland Mail 1849-1878. Cleveland: The Arthur Clark Company, 1926.

"Pony Express Legend and Fact." National Geographic, July 1980.

Reinfeld, Fred, Pony Express. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press; Bison Book, 1966.

Settle, Raymond W. and Settle, Mary Lund. War Drums and Wagon Wheels. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1966.

Settle, Raymond W. and Settle, Mary Lund. Saddles and Spurs. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press; Bison Book, 1955.

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Last Updated:Tuesday, 18-Jun-96 10:21:47
http://www.nps.gov/poex/