Ride the Pony (Express)

The Pony Express was a mail service that was created to deliver mail from the East coast to the West Coast as quickly as possible.  Because it was just one man on horseback, the rider was able to make the trip quicker than a stagecoach.  It took the stagecoach 25 days to drive the route.  The Pony Express riders could make the trip in 10 days.  They built several stations along the route.  These were generally 10  to 25 miles apart, depending on how easy it was to ride through that area.  If the area was wide open plains, then the stations were farther apart. The distance between stations was about how far a horse could run at full gallop without wearing out.  At the next station, the rider would throw the mail on a new horse and ride on to the next station.  After a few stations, a new rider would take over and ride the next part of the route.

It was a dangerous job as there was still the threat of an Indian attack or thieves and a Pony Express rider was all by himself instead of with a group as on a stagecoach.  The Pony Express would hire mostly young boys as they were lighter weight and could ride faster.

Buffalo Bill

A Pony Express rider that you may have heard of was William Cody. He was a Pony Express rider at age 14.  You may know him as Buffalo Bill.  He became famous for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Tour.  He included an act in his show about the Pony Express.

The Pony Express was only used for 18 months.  When the telegraph was invented, people could now send a message instantly, much like sending a text, except over the telephone lines.  There was no longer a need for the high cost of paying the riders and maintaining the horses and stations. So, what does this have to do with Otter’s visit to the Wells Fargo museum at Old Town San Diego?  When the Pony Express was coming to an end, The Pony Express was sold to Wells Fargo.  Even though the Pony Express was no longer in business, Wells Fargo used the Pony Express logo.  In fact they used the Pony Express logo on its security transportation until they sold that portion of the business in 2001.

Otter visits Wells Fargo museum in Old Town San Diego

Also, there are two authentic telegraphs at the museum and you can use them to send a message to a friend across the room. Next week, Otter heads off to a new location.  Check back next week to see what Otter is up to next.  “Where’s Otter?”