THE PONY EXPRESS The Pony Express ran between Missouri and California to deliver mail. Mail could arrive in California in as few as nine days using the Pony Express, rather than the weeks it took when sent by horse carriage. SYSTEM There were a number of planned out stations along the Pony Express. Mail was carried by riders from station to station. They switched to fresh horses at each station. Riders were replaced every hundred miles or so. This system allowed mail to constantly move at a rapid pace. ROUTE The Pony Express traveled from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. There were 184 stations along the 1,900 mile route. The Pony Express followed the Oregon Trail for some of the way, then used the Mormon Trail to Salt Lake City, Utah. It went over the Rocky Mountains, through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and ended in California. The trip took about two extra days in the winter. Riders traveled 75 to 100 miles per day and switched horses every 10 to 12 miles. COST A ½ ounce letter originally cost $5 to send, which was a lot of money in 1860. They lowered the price to $1 for a ½ ounce letter by the end of the Pony Express. RIDERS A Pony Express rider made $100 a month, which was good money at the time. Their job was tough though. It required them to ride in bad weather, on rough terrain, and through dangerous situations. To keep the weight down that horses were forced to carry, riders had to weigh under 125 pounds. Many of the riders were young, tough, skinny teenagers who faced the dangers of the ride for the excitement and money. The most famous Pony Express rider was Buffalo Bill who earned fame from his Wild West shows. Only one rider and shipment of mail was ever lost on the Pony Express. YEARS Despite the Pony Express being an important part of American history, it was not actually open very long. It began on April 3, 1860 and closed October 24, 1861. It had over 400 horses and around 180 riders at its height. END After the opening of the transcontinental telegraph, the Pony Express was forced to close. Telegraphs were much faster and cheaper. The Pony Express lost money in the end and became outdated quickly. ©Teaching to the Middle Name ______THE PONY EXPRESS IDENTIFY: Use the word bank to identify each description. Missouri 125 horses Oregon mail California Buffalo Bill telegraph 100

1. Maximum rider weight, in pounds 2. Riders switched these at each station

3. Delivered on the Pony Express

4. Amount of money riders made monthly

5. Replaced the Pony Express

6. Where the Pony Express started

7. Famous Pony Express rider

8. The Pony Express followed some of this trail

9. Where the Pony Express ended

TRUE OR FALSE? Place a check in the correct column. STATEMENT T F 10. The Pony Express was a cheap way to send mail.

11. The Pony Express operated for around ten years.

12. Riders on the Pony Express were well paid.

13. Riders rode for 100 miles before stopping.

14. The Pony Express became outdated quickly.

15. Riders trips were longer in the summer due to heat.

16. Mail was delivered in about 3 days on the Pony Express.

©Teaching to the Middle MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the best answer.

17. What is the main reason the Pony Express did not last long? A. They charged too much to send letters. B. They did not have enough people sending letters. C. The transcontinental telegraph was invented. D. The transcontinental railroad was built.

18. Which of the following is NOT true about Pony Express riders? A. They were lightweight. B. They were typically young. C. They were brave. D. They were underpaid.

19. What is the main reason the Pony Express was a quick way to deliver mail? A. Riders did not have far to travel. B. Riders switched horses frequently. C. Riders were well-trained cowboys. D. They used race horses.

20. What is the most likely reason the cost of sending a letter by Pony Express was lowered? A. To encourage more people to send letters this way. B. They wanted to be cheaper than transcontinental telegraphs. C. They had more business so they could afford to set the price lower. D. They were going bankrupt.

21. With which statement would the author mostly agree? A. The horses were mistreated on the Pony Express. B. The riders on the Pony Express deserved more money. C. The Pony Express did not last long, but was important. D. The Pony Express would have lasted longer had they been cheaper.

22. Which of the following best completes the analogy? St. Joseph : ______:: Sacramento : California A. Utah B. Missouri C. Oregon D. Rocky Mountains

©Teaching to the Middle