April 3, 1860: First Pony Express takes off

On April 3, 1860, horse and rider relay teams set out on the first journey of the Pony Express. Riders left from both Sacramento headed east and from St. Joseph, Mo., headed west. When the westbound rider arrived in San Francisco 10 days later, it set a new standard for express mail.

The 1,900-mile route was covered by a relay of riders who quickly changed horses about every 10 miles. From the East Coast to Missouri, the mail traveled by rail, and from Sacramento to San Francisco it typically traveled down the river. There were 184 Pony Express stations along the main route across the middle of the country– some of which were merely to change tired horses for fresh ones and some of which provided board for riders in between shifts. Riders, who had to weigh less than 125 pounds, were paid about $100 a month and rode about 75 miles a day. The most famous of these was Buffalo Boy, who reportedly joined the express at the age of 14.

By 1861 the first transcontinental telegraph line went into operation and the Pony Express shut down. Despite its short life, even today the route and history of the quintessentially Western company continue to attract tourists. The National Pony Express Association works to preserve the original trail and hosts a re-ride across the entire route each year in June.