The Pony Express

The Pony Express started in St. Joseph, MO and the route stretched all the way to Sacramento, California  The Pony Express may have been short lived (only lasted a little over a year), but it was a BIG deal in 1860 because it was able to carry mail from Missouri to California in 8-10 days!

How many days did it take our caravan to travel that far?

Turn to your neighbor and predict how the Pony Express was able to carry mail THAT fast!

The Pony Express hired young, light-weight men to ride horses continuously from Missouri to California. They stopped every 15 miles to trade out their horses.

Why did the riders have to be light-weight? Why did they have to trade out horses?

These riders had to be brave because the journey was dangerous! It was not uncommon for riders to die on the trail. In fact, that was one of the job requirements--willing to risk death!