Pony Express Program

On March 6, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Historic Trails
Interpretive Center (NHTIC) will present “The Pony Express: Truth vs.
Myth." The program will be held at the NHTIC beginning at 1 p.m. and is
free and open to the public.

Few events in U.S. western history have generated more myths and half
truths than the Pony Express. National Pony Express Association President
(NPEA) and rider Les Bennington will share and unravel some of these truths
from the myths. Bennington currently resides near Glenrock, Wyo.

The NPEA is also celebrating their sesquicentennial this year. Bennington
will share and elaborate on upcoming events associated with the 150th
anniversary of the Pony Express.

The Pony Express, a fast-moving mail service, operated from April 1860 to
November 1861. The Pony Express Trail crossed the North American continent
from Saint Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif.

Approximately 190 stations were placed between 10 and 12 miles apart along
the Pony Express Trail. The Pony Express operated a relay station at the
site of the Guinard Bridge and Trading Post, which later was established as
Platte Bridge Station, and then Fort Caspar.

For more information about the program, contact Jason Vlcan at the NHTIC,
(307) 261-7780.