The Top Five Pony Express Facts

Business - Jobs and Employment

By: EmmaRileySutton 10-Feb-2011

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Introduction:

The Pony Express is an important part of American history. The Pony Express operated from April 3, 160 until October of 1861. During those 18 months, approximately 183 men rode day and night for this new mail delivery service. It was the best way for mail to be delivered from the east to the west. Founded by Alexander Majors, William Russell and William Waddel it was also known as the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company and a subisidiary of the Freight and Stage Company. These are just a few interesting facts about the famous Pony Express:

Purpose of the Pony Express

The purpose of the Pony Express was to deliver mail between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. The Pony Express riders were the only mail delivery service available through the rough and dangerous terrain. This delivery service ran once a week from early April to mid-June in 1860. That was bumped up to twice a week from mid-June to late October the following year.

Pony Express Route

The Pony Express Route as about 2,000 miles longs with about 165 different stations. From St. Joseph, Missouri this early delivery service raced through Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. They also made their way through the mountains of Wyoming, Utah and Nevada to the final destination in Sacramento, California. There was also a "water route" from New York to San Francisco. The Pony Express used pack mules across Panama for this delivery service.

Financial Failures of the Pony Express

Despite the need for this delivery service, the Pony Express was a financial failure. It wasn't able to secure a million dollar government. This was due to the outbreak of the Civil War and political pressures. The Pony Express owners spent $700,000 on this "newfangled" delivery service and had deficit of $200,000.

Pony Express Horses

The Pony Expressed relied on horses to deliver the mail across country. Over 400 horses were purchased for this delivery service. Many of those horses were Thoroughbreds, Morgans, Pintos and Mustangs. Each horse traveled about 10 miles per hour and riders received a fresh horse every hour to hour and a half.

Qualifications of Pony Express Riders

The qualifications to be a Pony Express rider were rather simple. They needed young expert riders that were willing to risk their lives daily for this delivery service. An ad in a California newspaper requested that the Pony Express applicants be "skinny, wiry fellows...Orphans preferred." The majority of the riders were about 20 years old and the youngest was only 11 years old. The Pony Express riders usually weighed around 120 pounds.

Final Thoughts

What an exciting time in American history! What an exciting job to have! Imagine racing across rarely traveled areas of an untamed wilderness for this delivery service. Dangers coming at you from all directions - traveling through Indian territory, facing wild animals and highwaymen wanting to rob you. All that and playing a vital role in American history too!