The Pony Express - 100th Anniversary

In 1860, 10 years after California became a State the population had increased to 380,000 settlers and there was a great need for improved communication with all points east. A mail delivery service by horseback rider was established between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Using a series of relay stations about every 10 miles for fresh horses, messengers could get mail from Missouri to California in 10 days, a time many said was impossible. The Pony Express, as it was called, only lasted 18 months before telegraph service was established which made it unnecessay. This 4 cent stamp issued on July 19, 1960 commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Pony Express.