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.

了解

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.

准备

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.

驾车

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

目的地

沿途可以找到纪念碑、标记、博物馆和历史建筑。

密苏里州

• 1 National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 West Pacific, Independence, ☏ +1 816 325-7575. While this is not directly on the trail, if you are starting your trip, around the Kansas City area, this is a great site to visit to get perspective on the historical landscape.  

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

圣约瑟夫

• 2 Pony Express Museum, 914 Penn St, St Joseph, ☏ +1 816-279-5059, toll-free: +1-800-530-5930, fax: +1 816-233-9370. Mar-Nov: M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM; Dec-Feb: M-Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 11AM-4PM. The Pony Express Museum is a transport museum in Saint Joseph, Missouri, documenting the history of the Pony Express, the first fast mail line across the North American continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast. Adult $6, senior $5, student $3, under 6 Free.  
• 3 Patee House. Included the headquarters and eastern terminus of the Pony Express.  

堪萨斯州

• 4 Hollenberg Station State Historic Site, ☏ +1 785-337-2635. (updated Dec 2018)

内布拉斯加州

• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  
• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  
• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  
• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  
• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  

怀俄明州

• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  
• 5 Rock Creek Station, Fairbury.  
• Avenue of Rocks, on Poison Spider Road west of Casper. 
• 12 Independence Rock, on the Sweetwater River.  
• Devils Gate, on the Sweetwater River. A short hike. 
• South Pass, South Pass near South Pass. A short hike. 
• Little Emigration Canyon. Little Emigration Canyon: Mormon Flat to Big Mountain, 4.5 miles 4x4 and Horse Access (extensive trail segments). 
• Oregon Trail Road. Oregon Trail Road: Mills, WY to WYO-220 just north of Independence Rock, 41.5 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments)) 
• South Pass Segment. South Pass Segment: Independence Rock to Parting of the Ways, 125 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments)); Parting of the Ways: end of the South Pass segment 
• Fort Bridger to Muddy Creek. Fort Bridger to Muddy Creek: approximately 14 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments)) 
• 13 National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper.  

犹他州

• BLM Backcountry Byway. From Fairfield to Ibapah: 133 miles (Long Hike (access to extensive trail segments)) 
• 14 Camp Floyd State Park Museum. (updated Dec 2018)

内华达州

• 15 丘奇尔堡州立历史公园, Silver Springs. 该堡垒保护了早期定居者和驿马快信的邮件运行，现已保持“衰败状态”。 (updated Oct 2017)

加利福尼亚州

• 16 B. F. Hastings大楼 (驿马快信终点站), 1006 2nd St, Sacramento. 曾是驿马快信的西部终点站。该建筑是国家历史地标，现为该市的游客中心。 (updated Apr 2021)
  • 游客中心, 1002 2nd St, ☏ +1 916-808-7644. 是探索萨克拉门托地区各处的绝佳起点。 免费. (updated Jan 2018)