Name/Title
Arrival of the Pony Express News Article, San Francisco Chronicle, April 10, 1960Entry/Object ID
AM1991.1.143Scope and Content
Arrival of the Pony Express News Article, San Francisco Chronicle, April 10, 1960. News story announcing the end of the Centennial rerun to San Francisco from St. Joseph.
On April 14--100 years ago from Next Thursday--the first Pony Express rider arrived in San Francisco via the river boat Antelope from Sacramento. On the inaugural run of this briefly operated service, organized by the freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell the riders had used 75 horses on the 2000-mile trip from St. Joseph., MO to Sacramento and cut the delivery time to 10 days, or half the stagecoach record.
This speed-up was of vital importance to the remote West, and the incoming riders were met in Sacramento and San Francisco by jubilant crowds firing guns into the air, by bonfires in the streets and by hastily organized parades of the volunteer fire companies. The celebration in San Francisco was pronounced by the Daily Alta California to be "an entire success" despite the lateness of the hour which caused the speeches to be canceled.
This article has a picture of a letter carried by Pony Express and addressed to Crosby and Dibblee commission merchants once located at 111 Battery street. It shows that it left New York City on December 11, 1860 and St. Joseph , MO on December 16. Pony Express surcharge was $5, as noted on the envelope in pencil.
Pictures include
Arrival of the Pony Express at Sacramento, and the Enthusiastic Reception by the Inhabitants, 1860.
Arrival of the first Pony Express rider at San Francisco, 1860.
Brass plaque which was placed at 615 Montgomery street in front of which the first incoming rider was met by crowds and post midnight municipal hoopla.
This plaque reads "Western Headquarters of Russell, Majors and Waddell. This was the site of the western business headquarters of Russell, Majors, and Waddell founders, owners, and operators of the Pony Express 1860-1861. The firm's main office was in Leavenworth, Kansas. W.W. Finney was the western representative in San Francisco.
California registered historical landmark No. 696.
Plaque placed by the California state Park Commission in cooperation with the society of California Pioneers, April 1, 1960.Lexicon
Search Terms
Pony Expressun, Pony Express Centennial, Pony Express RerunRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Jim WallsPerson or Organization
William RussellPerson or Organization
Majors, AlexanderPerson or Organization
Waddell, WilliamPerson or Organization
W. W. Finney