Pony Express Friday's Station handoff in Lake Tahoe

The Pony Express ran from April 1860 to November 1861 carrying mail almost 2000 miles from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA. Every year since the mid 1960s the National Pony Express Association puts on a re-ride involving over 500 riders and 155 stations, including Friday's Station in Lake Tahoe, NV (at the site of what is now Harrah's.)

Pony Express Statue at Harrah's

The Pony Express' attitude towards its riders is captured beautifully by the text of their famous recruitment poster: "Pony Express from St. Joseph, Missouri to California in 10 Days or Less. WANTED Young, Skinny, Wiry Fellows not over eighteen, must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans Prefered $25 per week."

This video features interviews with Davey "Doc" Wiser, the rider for the Lake Tahoe to Placerville leg of this year's re-enactment as well as Rich Tatman, president of the California division of the National Pony Express Association as well as the handoff of the mochilla containing this year's commemorative mail.

Doc Wiser being sworn in as a rider

For more information visit Pony Express California