Pony Express National Historic Trail

The Pony Express National Historic Trail is a United States National Historic Trail commemorating the mail service route through the Old West, between St. Joseph, Missouri and San Francisco, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861. It was an astonishing fact that a letter could be delivered across the 1,800-mile trail in only 10 days.

Understand
It was established in 1859 as the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company of 1859. In 1860 the company became the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, founded by William H. Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell. As quickly as a young rider blazed a trail across half the continent, the technology replaced the ways of a horseback rider. The telegraph was able to do the same thing, faster and cheaper. And by 1869 a transcontinental railroad made it possible to send goods of any weight in a fast manner.

Travel along the Pony Express National Historic Trail is largely done for the historical understanding of the past; however, there are many reasons why you should visit the trail. First, of course, is the learning of the Pony Express. Second are the parallel stories of the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail. Finally, your travels will take you along some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States. This itinerary focuses on the Pony Express, but will take tangents when they so necessitate.

Prepare
First and foremost, get maps. The modern Interstate system does not take you along the trails; Interstates are designed for speed and efficiency, but the Pony Express trail was designed for a different type of efficiency. That efficiency was based around — not recreating — the wheel.

As previously mentioned, three trails go in the same general direction as the Pony Express, and the Pony Express took advantage of established routes to keep expenses low.

While traveling off of the interstate, keep your bearings about you. The worst thing that can happen along the majority of the trail is being turned around and having to back-track to get back the right way.

Drive
This itinerary discusses a route of travel from Missouri to California. The most logical route begins in Missouri and travels to the west.

Destinations
Monuments, markers, museums, and historic buildings can be found along the trail.

Missouri


Missouri is known for a couple of American Presidents. While here in Independence, you can see the home of President Harry S. Truman.