The first fast mail line across the North American continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast.
In the first Pony Express run on April 3, 1860, William (Billie) Richardson left from here to go the Patee House to pick up a waiting mochilla, then headed west.
Tags: pioneers pioneer santa fe trail california trail pony express trail pony express riders sculpture pony express sulpture pony express statue western frontier western pioneers st. joseph missouri pony express oregon trails statue missouri road trip buchanan county st. joseph missouri sculptures buchanan county missouri santa fe trail art pony express buchanan county california trail buchanan county missouri oregon trail william (billie) richardson st. joseph missouri patee house st. joseph missouri historic history north american first mail line mail line
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Renowned city of the Pony Express, St. Joseph was first settled as a trading post for the American Fur Company by Joseph Robidoux, 1826. Later he acquired the site and laid out a town in 1843. St. Joseph became an outfitting point for settlers in northwest Missouri and travelers on the Oregon-California trail. It was also a supply base for army posts and western gold mining camps. Here was the terminus of the first railroad to cross Missouri, the Hannibal and St. Joseph in 1859. The railway postal car, developed by W. A. Davis of St. Joseph, was first used on this line in 1862. April 3, 1860 the Pony Express was put into operation between here and Sacramento, California, by the freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell. Operated as a relay it met the need for speedy mail service to the West and popularized the central overland route. About 1982 miles were covered regularly in 10 days and 190 relay stations, 420 horses, and 80 riders were used. The record run was 7 days, 17 hours. The Pony Express discontinued in October 1861. The telegraph then reached the coast.
Tags: Buchanan County Missouri William H. Russell & William B. Waddell buchanan county missouri & Alexander Majors Pony Express relay rider buchanan county missouri pony express relay riders Buchanan county Pikes Peak Stables St. Joseph missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express museum buchanan county missouri historic pony express buchanan coounty missouri historic markers buchanan county missouri historic monuments buchanan county missouri St. Joseph Historic Marker buchanan county missouri Pony Express historic monument
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St. Joseph, industrial center of northwest Missouri, lies in the glacial plains region of the Missouri Valley, in a richly fertile area of grain, fruit, and livestock farming. Early impressed with the beauty of the site were geographer Maximilian, Prince of Wied, 1833; missionary priest Father De Smet, 1838; and ornithologist Audubon, 1843. The city is now noted for its food processing plants, grain and livestock markets, transportation facilities, and varied factories. Two bridges cross the Missouri River here. The city lies on land acquired from the Iowa, Sauk, and Fox Indians by the Platte Purchase, 1836. Since 1846 it has been the seat of Buchanan Co., one of 6 formed out of the Purchase, organized 1838, named for James Buchanan, U.S. President, 1857-61. Among points of interest are St. Joseph Museum; Patee House; Pony Express Stables; house were Jesse James was killed; locale Eugene Field's courtship poem "Lover's Lane, St. Jo"; Beavais House; Krug Park; and 20 miles southwest, Lewis and Clark State Park. Here lived Mo. Govs. R.M. Stewart, 1857-61; W.P. Hall 1864-65;Silas Woodson, 1873-75.
Tags: Buchanan County Missouri William H. Russell & William B. Waddell buchanan county missouri & Alexander Majors Pony Express relay rider buchanan county missouri pony express relay riders Buchanan county Pikes Peak Stables St. Joseph missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express museum buchanan county missouri historic pony express buchanan coounty missouri historic markers buchanan county missouri historic monuments buchanan county missouri St. Joseph Historic Marker buchanan county missouri Pony Express historic monument
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This Monument erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution & the City of St. Joseph.
Marks the place where the First Pony Express started on April 3, 1860
Tags: Buchanan County Missouri William H. Russell & William B. Waddell buchanan county missouri & Alexander Majors Pony Express relay rider buchanan county missouri pony express relay riders Buchanan county Pikes Peak Stables St. Joseph missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express museum buchanan county missouri historic pony express buchanan coounty missouri historic markers buchanan county missouri historic monuments buchanan county missouri St. Joseph Historic Marker buchanan county missouri Pony Express historic monument
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Tags: Buchanan County Missouri William H. Russell & William B. Waddell buchanan county missouri & Alexander Majors Pony Express relay rider buchanan county missouri pony express relay riders Buchanan county Pikes Peak Stables St. Joseph missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express stations buchanan county missouri pony express museum buchanan county missouri historic pony express pony express stables pony express riders pony express raring to go pony express rider & his horse
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