Pony Express Monument

One hundred-and-fifty-plus years ago, Pony Express riders galloped across eight states delivering the mail. The states included California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. While the Pony Express was short-lived, lasting just 18 months from April of 1860 to October of 1861, it's still the most famous mail delivery system ever used.

The Pony Express was fueled by the Gold Rush in the West, which created a pressing need for faster mail service between East and West. Riders covered more than 1,800 miles in just 10 days, carrying their mailbags.  

And the mail wasn't carried in just any old bag! Riders used a specially made leather mochila (Spanish for "knapsack"). The mochila had four pockets, or cantinas, with openings cut into the leather so they'd fit over the saddle horn and cantle of the rider's saddle. The monument does a great job of showing the mochila draped over the saddle beneath the rider. 

Riders used some 400 horses, which galloped between relay stations  10 to 15 miles apart. At each of these stations, the riders changed horses until they reached their own "home" station, 90 to 120 miles away. Then a new horse and rider took over.  

The bronze Pony Express Monument is situated in the parking lot of the Cabela's store in the small Nebraska city of Sidney. It was sculpted by American artist Peter M. Fillerup in 2011 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express in 2010. 

Along with the monument, there are flagpoles with flags for each state crossed by the Pony Express. As you walk around, you'll also see stone carvings for Pony Express stations such as Sportsman's Hall in California, Deer Creek Station in Wyoming, and Pumpkinseed Station in Nebraska.