April 13, 1860 - The 1st westward bound mail from the Pony Express arrived in Sacramento, California

On April 13, 1860, the first westward bound mail from the Overland Pony Express Company arrived at the B.F. Hastings building at the corner of Second and J Streets in Sacramento, the western terminus of the Overland Pony Express Company, before being transported by steamboat to San Francisco.
The mail took 10 days to travel the approximately 1,800-mile journey. The Pony Express set a new standard for quick mail delivery and connected isolated California in the west with the news of the eastern United States. Prior to the Pony Express, news or letters from the east could take weeks, if not well over a month to arrive in California either by stagecoach or steamship.
Pony Express riders were paid approximately $25 per week and carried up to 20 pounds of mail in leather mochilas. Every 75 to 100 miles a new rider took over and horses were switched out every 10 to 15 miles. On October 24, 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph message was transmitted to the Pioneer Telegraph Building in Sacramento. The Pony Express stopped operations two days later.
In this video, Jared letterpress printed an image of a Pony Express rider on an uncooperative horse. This cut was made in the 1930s and it is from the Bill Gaylord Collection The word “WHOA” is to the right. The text below reads “The Pony Express” and it was typeset in 24 point Stymie Black font. This was printed with black rubber base ink using our Washington hand press, which was made in 1852.
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[@michaelcerkez3895]

Always in for a bit of U.S. history. Thank you. And, Rock that Red Button Howard.

[@MyuNeptune]

I love the print!❤ as a kid I thought pony express was named after wagon pulled by few ponies.😂

[@Trapper_Creek_2024]

Such cool history, guys - thanks ever so much! Howard? Howard? Are you there, Howard?? Of course you are! 🔴

[@thatplaythroughguy9864]

todays my birthday 🎉

[@Ruthvika_Rajesh]

Happy birthdaayyyy

[@JamMC]

Happy late birthday.

[@14thbkrctsecks]

Interesting name he’s got 😭

[@dwharris8669]

Pony express still faster than DHL