The Pony Express Trail

The Pony Express Trail
The Pony Express operated overland mail service from April 3, 1860 to October 24, 1861.

• Route: St. Joseph Missouri to Sacramento California, through the present day States of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.
• Trail Length: Approximately 2,000 miles.
• Riders: The operation employed 183 men as riders, most riders were around 20 years old, the youngest was 11, the oldest in his mid 40s. The average rider weighed 120 lbs.
• Riders Pay: Starting pay was $50 per month but the salary quickly rose to $100.
• Schedule: From St. Joseph to Sacramento it took 10 days in the summer, 12 to 16 days in the winter.
• Duration: New riders took over every 75 to 100 miles; they changed horses every 10 to 15 miles.
• Longest Ride: As a result of Paiute Indian problems in 1860, Pony Bob Haslam rode 190 miles east from Friday's Station to Smith Creek, rested for 9 hours and then carried mail back west 190 miles for a round trip total of 380 miles.
• Speed: The horses traveled an average of 10 miles per hour but for a short time could gallop up to 25 miles per hour.
• Equipment: Letters and telegrams were carried by the Riders in a leather pouch called a mochila. Riders were also issued a special light weight saddle. The total weight of the saddle with mochila was 13lbs.
• Weapons: The riders were issued a pair of Navy Colt revolvers, a bowie knife, a rifle, and a horn to sound his arrival.

Pony Express Route April 3, 1860 - October 24, 1861

The Pony Express Oath I... do hereby swear before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors, and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employees of tho firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly be faithful to my duties and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.

Pony Express Outpost Sign
April 3, 1860 - October 31,1861
Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Co.

This is on the side of Cordelia's Pie Kitchen
[https://www.eatlife.net/knotts-berry-farm/cordelias-pie-kitchen.php]