Pony Express Photos

The Pony Express ran 1,966 miles from St Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA & used relays of riders who handed off a locked mail saddle cover (Mochila) to the next waiting rider & pony at way stations spaced about 12 miles apart so that the mail never stopped moving, taking less than 10 days to cross. In the 18 months that the Pony Express existed (April 3, 1860 to Oct. 24, 1861), its 121 riders & 500 ponies carried 35,000 pieces of mail while losing just one pouch. The service was the inspiration of founders Russell, Majors & Waddell. After 18 months, the telegraph rendered the service obsolete, but the service inspired the building of the Transcontinental Railroad & became an American legend.

Click thumbnail to enlarge. F11 to view website full screen.
Pony Express monument by Thomas Holland in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express monument portrays record setting rider Sam Hamilton in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express monument against the Victorian buildings of Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express monument gallops toward the B.F. Hastings Building, once Pony Express HQ in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.
Pony Express monument (1976) by Thomas Holland in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express monument portrays record setting rider Sam Hamilton in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express monument against the Victorian buildings of Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express monument gallops toward the B.F. Hastings Building, once Pony Express HQ (1006 2nd St.) in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA. On National Register.
B.F. Hastings Building , former tenants included the Pony Express Terminus, the Alta California Telegraph, Wells Fargo, Sacramento Valley Railroad, & the California Supreme Court. Today it hosts part of the Wells Fargo Museum in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express Relay Station building at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.Pony Express stained glass window at Union Pacific Railroad depot. Salt Lake City, UT.Engraving of Pony Express rider at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.
B.F. Hastings Building (1852) (1000 2nd St.), former tenants included the Pony Express Terminus, the Alta California Telegraph, Wells Fargo, Sacramento Valley Railroad, & the California Supreme Court. Today it hosts part of the Wells Fargo Museum in Old Sacramento. Sacramento, CA.Pony Express Relay Station building (1860) at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.Pony Express stained glass window at Union Pacific Railroad depot. Salt Lake City, UT.Engraving of Pony Express rider at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.
Metal sign for Pony Express overland mail service costing 25 cents / half ounce by Wells Fargo at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.Pony express sign at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.Wood printing block of Pony Express advertising poster at Autry National Center. Los Angeles, CA.Mural of Pony Express Rider by Allen Tupper True in Senate of Wyoming State Capitol. Cheyenne, WY.
Metal sign for Pony Express overland mail service costing 25 cents / half ounce by Wells Fargo (printer: Thomas Bell) at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.Pony express sign at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.Wood printing block (1860s) of Pony Express advertising poster at Autry National Center. Los Angeles, CA.Mural of Pony Express Rider (1917) by Allen Tupper True in Senate of Wyoming State Capitol. Cheyenne, WY.
Pony Express rider bronze plaque by A. Phimister Proctor on S. Main Street where Pony Express Station once stood. Salt Lake City, UT.Plaque celebrating Pony Express Centennial showing Russell, Majors & Waddell at Scout's Rest. North Platte, NE.Pony Express monument on site of Pony Express Station now Salt Lake Tribune building site on S. Main Street. Salt Lake City, UT.Lincoln Highway & Pony Express markers on grounds of Nevada State Museum. Carson City, NV.
Pony Express rider bronze plaque by A. Phimister Proctor on S. Main Street where Pony Express Station once stood. Salt Lake City, UT.Plaque celebrating Pony Express Centennial (1960) showing Russell, Majors & Waddell at Scout's Rest. North Platte, NE.Pony Express monument on site of Pony Express Station (1860-61) now Salt Lake Tribune building site on S. Main Street. Salt Lake City, UT.Lincoln Highway & Pony Express markers on grounds of Nevada State Museum. Carson City, NV.
Replica Pony Express mochila & saddle at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.Pony Express Saddle with pouches for mail at Gold Rush History Center. Sacramento, CA.Reproduction of Pony Express mochila saddle at Autry National Center. Los Angeles, CA.Pony Express Mochila saddle reproduction by Louis Hook of Salt Lake with locks as might be used in Wild West Show at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.
Replica Pony Express mochila & saddle (1860) at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.Pony Express Saddle (c1860) with pouches for mail at Gold Rush History Center. Sacramento, CA.Reproduction of Pony Express mochila saddle at Autry National Center. Los Angeles, CA.Pony Express Mochila saddle reproduction (1897) by Louis Hook of Salt Lake with locks as might be used in Wild West Show at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.
Pony Express Mochila saddle reproduction lacking locks as might be used in Wild West Show at Buffalo Bill Museum. Lookout Mountain, CO.


Pony Express Mochila saddle reproduction lacking locks as might be used in Wild West Show at Buffalo Bill Museum. Lookout Mountain, CO.


See Also:
All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

CMP