Pony Express National Historic Trail
In the era before electronic communication, the Pony Express was the thread that tied East to West. - NPS
While in Salt Lake City we highly suggest your group stops at the Pony Express National Historic Trail within the This is The Place Heritage Park. This is The Place Heritage Park is a living history park with Mormon monuments, train rides, a petting zoo, a section of this Pony Express trail, and a historic Native American Village, not to mention numerous historic homes and structures.
The Pony Express National Historic Trail commemorates an overland horse-and-rider relay that carried mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 through October 1861. Letters, costing $5 each, could make the 1,900-mile trip in 10 to 12 days, depending on weather conditions. Completion of the transcontinental telegraph system put the Pony Express out of business.
The Pony Express, though short-lived, was much needed during that time it was in operation, the Civil War in the states bringing a higher demand for quick communications such as news and orders for the Union.
As mentioned before, while here at this particular section of the trail you will be able to read the commemorative plaque and info board and view the commemorative statue onsite. Other parts of the trail across the 8 states include auto-tours, hiking, biking, and museum visits. It should be known that this isn't one long continuous trail as you may think, but a series of trail traces, structures, graves, landmarks, and markers. Check out this ad from the Sacramento Union in 1860 (courtesy of NPS).
Ad in the Sacramento Union, March 19, 1860
"Men Wanted"
The undersigned wishes to hire ten or a dozen men, familiar with the management of horses, as hostlers, or riders on the Overland Express Route via Salt Lake City. Wages $50 per month and found.
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