The Pony Express

The Pony Express was a fast-mail service operating in the United States from 1860 to 1861, primarily to transmit messages, newspapers, and mail across the western frontier. Riders on horseback carried small packages between relay stations roughly every 10-15 miles, enabling rapid communication between Missouri and California before the telegraph lines were fully established. Despite its brief operation, it became a symbol of dedication and connectivity during westward expansion, covering about 1,900 miles in approximately 10 days. Its success relied on highly trained riders and relay stations, but it was eventually replaced by the more efficient telegraph system.