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National Archives
The Pony Express still holds a unique Although the Pony Express only lasted for
place in American lore 162 years
after it was created. Between 1860 and 1861, its riders carried mail from Missouri to California– helping to link the fledgling territories on the West Coast to the East. Their lives weren’t easy. Aside from spending most of their waking
hours on horseback, the riders had to cope with extreme temperatures, isolation,
and the threat of being attacked. Their accomplishments – along with those of the pioneers and cowboys – established the “rugged individual” as the American ideal.
18 months, its riders also played a starring role in forming the myth of the Wild West.
Despite America’s rapid expansion, communication between the East and West coasts wasn’t a priority for the first 65 years after achieving independence. After starting with the original 13 states, the United States nearly doubled in size when England gave up the Northwest territories in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Twenty years later,
the country was extended to the mid-West by the Louisiana Purchase. However, most Americans stayed rooted in the East.
The United States nearly doubled in size when England gave up the Northwest territories in the 1783 Treaty of Paris (pictured at above).
William Henry Jackson
SPEEDHORSE July 2023 79