National Pony Express Association facts for kids
The National Pony Express Association (NPEA) is a group of volunteers who love history. They work to keep the story of the Pony Express alive. Their main goals are to protect the original Pony Express trail and to remind everyone how important the Pony Express was in American history. They work with other groups like the National Park Service to do this.
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History of the NPEA
Early Re-rides and Celebrations
The very first time people re-rode the Pony Express trail was in 1923. About 60 people rode horses across eight states. These states were California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. These were the same states the original Pony Express riders traveled through.
In 1935, another Pony Express re-ride happened. This was to celebrate 75 years since the Pony Express started. It also marked 25 years since the Boy Scouts of America began. About 300 Boy Scouts took part in this special ride. They carried mail that was delivered to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House.
Forming the Association
In 1960, a group called the National Pony Express Centennial Association was formed. They helped organize a huge re-ride for the 100th anniversary. This event got a lot of attention. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower was involved. The United States government also made a special coin to remember the event.
The National Pony Express Association (NPEA) officially started in 1966. It became a formal organization on March 3, 1978. Its main office is in Pollock Pines, California.
Annual Re-ride Event
Since 1980, the National Pony Express Association has held a re-ride every year in June. The only year they didn't was 2020. NPEA members ride horses non-stop for 10 days. They cover the 1,966-mile route.
The ride usually starts in St. Joseph, Missouri and ends in Sacramento, California. The starting and ending points switch each year. Riders carry special mail in leather bags called mochillas. Each rider covers about one to ten miles. They must be able to quickly change horses or mochillas in less than 15 minutes.
Special Rides and Events
The Slide Ride of 1983
In 1983, a big snow slide blocked a highway in California. This stopped mail from getting through. The U.S. Postal Service asked the National Pony Express Association for help. NPEA riders agreed to carry the mail around the slide. They carried 60,000 pieces of mail, including important tax forms. This special ride lasted for six weeks.
1996 Olympic Torch Relay
From May 13 to 16, 1996, 325 NPEA riders helped carry the Olympic Torch. This was for the torch relay leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympics. Riders from all eight states took part. Each rider carried the torch for one or two miles. They covered a 544-mile route from Colorado to Missouri. The NPEA was the only group to carry the torch on horseback. They were also one of the few groups to carry it 24 hours a day.
150th Anniversary Celebration
The 150th anniversary of the Pony Express was celebrated starting in April 2010. That year's annual re-ride was extra special. It began in San Francisco, California, on June 6 and finished in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 26. This re-ride was longer than usual. It was also done only during the daytime. This allowed local towns and state groups to hold their own celebrations and events along the trail.
See also
