The approximately 1,900-mile-long (3,100 km) route roughly followed the Oregon and California Trails to Fort Bridger in Wyoming, and then the Mormon Trail (known as the Hastings Cutoff) to Salt Lake City, Utah. From there it followed the Central Nevada Route to Carson City, Nevada Territory before passing over the Sierra into Sacramento, California.
The Pony Express announced its closure on October 26, 1861, two days after the transcontinental telegraph reached Salt Lake City and connected Omaha, Nebraska, and Sacramento, California. (source Wikipedia)
@northcoin said:
This week Garrison Keilor in one of his birthday remembrances on National Public Radio paid homage to an anniversary of the Pony Express. Joining in the tribute, midway in the photos posted below are photos I took of a plaque that stands in front of the Carson City Mint building that was erected to honor the 100th anniversary in 1961 in
commemoration of the Pony Express. Also added are some further photos I took within the past year which include the original coin press in operation today, a collection of Carson City coins on display, and various views of exhibits and displays there in the building where the Carson City Mint once operated.
Also below is a link to a description of some of the Pony Express stations that existed in Nevada including the one in Carson City. The Pony Express (or as it was known at the time, The Overland Mail Route) also ties into the story behind the survival of the small number of the 1861 San Francisco minted Paquet Reverse $20 Double Eagle gold pieces
since the correspondence from the East to stop production of the coin was delayed getting to San Francisco due to the time it took for messages to still be delivered via the Pony Express in 1861.
Below the Carson City photos I have posted the 1861 Paquet Reverse from my collection with its unique reverse design. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth in their 2008 Third Edition of "100 Greatest U.S. Coins" place the 1861 San Francisco minted paquet at number 83 and note that "there are probably 200 to 300 examples known in all grades." An AU
example is given an historical value by the authors of $85,000.00. No known uncirculaed examples exist.
Immediately below are commemorative coins being minted on the same coin press that was the first one used in the Carson City mint. Bringing this topic full circle, one of those commemoratives minted this past year was in honor of the Pony Express.
The approximately 1,900-mile-long (3,100 km) route roughly followed the Oregon and California Trails to Fort Bridger in Wyoming, and then the Mormon Trail (known as the Hastings Cutoff) to Salt Lake City, Utah. From there it followed the Central Nevada Route to Carson City, Nevada Territory before passing over the Sierra into Sacramento, California.
The Pony Express announced its closure on October 26, 1861, two days after the transcontinental telegraph reached Salt Lake City and connected Omaha, Nebraska, and Sacramento, California. (source Wikipedia)
The Pony Express definitely remains a fascinating chapter in U.S. History.
Comments
The approximately 1,900-mile-long (3,100 km) route roughly followed the Oregon and California Trails to Fort Bridger in Wyoming, and then the Mormon Trail (known as the Hastings Cutoff) to Salt Lake City, Utah. From there it followed the Central Nevada Route to Carson City, Nevada Territory before passing over the Sierra into Sacramento, California.
The Pony Express announced its closure on October 26, 1861, two days after the transcontinental telegraph reached Salt Lake City and connected Omaha, Nebraska, and Sacramento, California. (source Wikipedia)
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
Great post. Fascinating times. I would love to go back and see that era, but not having a microwave and A/C would make it a short visit.
Enjoyable Cancel CC Dies info !
Nofurw > @Goldminers said:
The Pony Express definitely remains a fascinating chapter in U.S. History.