Developed by three investors who founded the "Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company," the pony express was officially started in April 1860. Made up mostly of teenagers these individuals would ride hard and fast across some of the most treacherous terrain and avoiding some of the most dangerous enemies to deliver mail in record time. Despite this grand innovation of delivering mail across the country in only 10 days it was far too expensive of an endeavour to maintain and they were forced to fold in only 18 months. Despite being in business for such a short term the legend and mythology of the pony express grew so dramatically that it became synonymous with the west and its early culture. My discovery of this information is sadly a little behind however there was a re-ride of the Pony Express which started June 6th in San Francisco, CA and ended in St. Joseph, MO on June 26th. The final stop was topped off with a massive celebration, living history encampment, opportunity to meet iconic western figures, and so much more. How exciting would it have been to see these people ride the trails and roads that people rode 150 years ago in order to deliver vital information from the East to the West and back again. I wish I would have been able to be apart of this event and enjoy all the activities that occurred in St. Joseph, MO. I would love to hear from any of you that had the opportunity to partake in this event and viewed the festivities. These kinds of events are fantastic and give people young and old the opportunity to learn and live our history culture. It allows us as Americans to better understand and appreciate who we are as a people and where we came from as a society.
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