The pony express stations of utah in historical perspective. Located in about the middle of nebraska, 2 miles off i 80 at gothenburg. Including the hollenberg pony express station, the potts ford bridge, and more. Hollenberg s station also supplied emigrants with food, clothing, livestock, and a place to rest themselves and their horses. The station is owned by the state of kansas and is operated by the kansas historical society as hollenberg pony express station state historic site. Its the only one still standing on its original site with its original dimensions. The pony express and haunted hollenberg station the pony express was one of the most daring enterprises undertaken in the frontier west. Restaurants near hollenberg pony express station state historic site. Visit the historic building where the hollenbergs hosted travelers on the trail, provided supplies, meals and overnight lodging. Intending to capitalize on the many wagon trains passing his way on the oregoncalifornia trail, hollenbergs sixroom building initially served as a grocery store, tavern, and an unofficial post office. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site smithsonian. Hollenberg pony express station grade 4 hanover, ks.
Dick park is the son of a pony express rider, katy kelly is the daughter of a way station master, and little bear is an indian boy who lives nearby. The station also served as a relay point for the pony express. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site, hanover. A modest visitors center and parking lot is located 18 mile east of the station, though there is handicap parking much closer and all visitors are encouraged to use that lot in bad weather. Hollenberg station pony express national historic trail u. Join the race from missouri, across the plains and mountains to california and back again as brave pony express riders and their supporters along the route work to get mail across country in just ten days. Discover the stories of the hollenbergs, pioneer life, and the pony express at this national historic. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site museum day. There is a radio station you can set your radio to for a quick explanation of the history.
View all restaurants near hollenberg pony express station state historic site on tripadvisor. Pony express hollenberg station gc2bn1a was created by jayhawkeyedoc on 7102010. The history and the thrill of the pony express can be found at this cache. It lasted only about 19 months and was basically a financial failure, but the associated glamour both fact and fiction has assured it a large. Three views of the hollenberg ranch house in washington county, kansas. One of the stops on the pony express and a stop along the oregoncalifornia trail.
Visit the historic building where the hollenberg s hosted travelers on the trail, provided supplies, meals and overnight lodging. Center door on east hollenberg pony express station, route 243, 6. Hollenberg pony express station hanover, kansas 57. Discover the story of the westward expansion, american indians, commerce, settlers, trail life, and the pony express. A trail connects the visitor center and the historic station and features a garden with native plants and grasses. Barbara tifft blakey lives in the pacific northwest on five wooded acres with terry, her husband of fortyplus years. Discover the stories of the hollenbergs, pioneer life, and the pony express at this national historic landmark. The hollenberg pony express station state historic site will be closed to the public due to health and safety concerns until further notice. Feb 24, 2016 hollenberg pony express station state historic site kansas historical. The challenge of learning about the women who were an important part of the supporting cast of the pony express led me to nineteenyearold sophia brockmeyer pictured later in life at right. Manuscripts from the federal writers project, 1936 to 1940 read the pony express external by w. The historic hollenberg pony express station is a state park with a museum and visitor center, and both employees and guests have reported seeing signs of the supernatural here. Media in category hollenberg pony express station the following 19 files are in this category, out of 19 total. Haunted places in jamestown, kansas haunted places.
Jan 03, 2011 the largest pony express station stories of the pony express seem larger than life. Daring riders galloping across the prairie and mountains, changing horses every 1012 miles and riding 75 miles before taking their relief. Read a firsthand account of the pony express, by former rider george s. The kansas historical society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the states history. Shiloh museum of ozark history recommended for you. It was in existence for only a short 18 months, but the story of the men who road in this fast relay race, across eight states reflects the true american spirit. Hollenberg, kansas pony express station between home stations, there were several relay rider or swing stations. Pony express riders and hundreds of pioneers made a stop at historic hollenberg station. Haunted hollenberg station, kansas legends of america. The largest pony express station stories of the pony express seem larger than life.
March 20 the author of this article is solely responsible for its content. Pony express barn museum 9 years ago by admin though the pony express only ran mail across the frontier for 18 months between 1860 and 1861, there remains immense popular interest in the history of the legendary postal service. Pony express womensophia hollenberg and hollenberg station. Hollenberg had lived an adventurous life before he came to kansas territory in 1854. Pony express stations across the american west legends of. Pony express stable pikes peak stable pony express museum 914 penn street st. Archive photosgetty images for all its financial troubles, the pony express didnt truly collapse until a better alternative. Hollenberg pony express station, hanover kshs kansas museums. The article recounts the origins of the service, details.
In the beginning, the relay rider stations were set approximately 2025 miles apart, but later, more relay rider stations were established at shorter intervals, about 1215 miles apart. The hollenberg pony express station is a way station at the place on the oregon trail where the access trails from the missouri towns of independence and st. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site hanover. Joseph converge before heading west through nebraska and on to oregon. We will continue to share kansas history through our social media, and. Barbara teaches sunday school and enjoys speaking on various. The station served as the last pony express stop in kansas. The restored ranch and pony express station are maintained by the kansas state historical society, and at the interpretive center there, built near a modern parking lot, i learned about the place. Pony express stations across the american west legends. The pony express was founded over 150 years ago by a team of investors familiar with delivering freightwilliam hepburn russell, alexander majors, and william b. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site. Orbitz makes it easy to find the best hollenberg pony express station hotel deals for your trip. Views of the hollenberg ranch house, washington county.
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with the latest guidance from the centers for. Smithsonian magazine museum day 2020 will not take place on april 4. Sophia brockemeyer hollenberg pictured at right and her husband, gerat, founded hollenberg station operated as a historic site by the kansas state historical society. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site youtube. Gifts and souvenirs related to hollenberg pony express station can be found in the museum store. It served as the most westerly pony express station in kansas throughout the duration of that service, 186061.
The visitor center has a small but engaging exhibit. Nine historical romances revive the brief era of the pony express. Historic express mail route delivers nine inspiring romances at. Hollenberg and his wife sofia established a way station for travelers, on the oregon and california trails, from 1860 to 1861, they operated one of the larger pony express stations. Pony express women sophia hollenberg and hollenberg station a footnote from history by stephanie grace whitson.
Hollenberg, this station was also the largest stop along the pony express route. The demise of the pony express and the overland mail service marked the end of an era in western history. Hollenberg pony express station, 2 miles into washington county. Apr 03, 2018 the hollenberg pony express station near hanover, kansas is the most intact pony express station left. Trip planning begins with an internet search and buying a couple of pony express books. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site home. There is a published auto tour route that sticks to paved roads, but there is also an unpaved section, mostly in utah and nevada. While visiting the hollenberg pony express station near hanover, kansas i learned the pony express operated for only 18 months.
Found this exciting piece of history by accident on a trip. The shortlived pony express had been established only one and onehalf years earlier, in april 1860. With an outstanding selection, easytouse search tools and descriptive hotel profiles, youll find hollenberg pony express station hotel deals in a wink. Dating back to 1860, this station is a state park that features a museum and visitor center.
The hollenberg pony express station is the only pony express station still standing on its original site with its original dimensions intact. Settles account is unique as he was the first writer and historical researcher to make use of pony express founder william b. A picnic area is located nearby the grove of trees. Its a regular size geocache, with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1. The hollenberg pony express station, also known as cottonwood pony express station, is the. Gc2bn1a pony express hollenberg station traditional. The hollenberg pony express station, also known as cottonwood pony express station, is the most intact surviving station of the pony express in the united states. I walked down to the stream, where a sign announced that i had reached the old hollenberg ranch and pony express station along the oregon trail. When was the first mail delivered via pony express. It was in existence for only a short 18 months, but the story of the men who road in this fast relay race, across.
The original station house is sparsely furnished but provides a. Along the oregon trail, through forts laramie and bridger, around the great salt lake, riders carried the mail through a wilderness infested with hostile tribes. Aug 29, 2018 the hollenberg pony express station at hanover, kansas. Five miles northeast of hanover, kansas is the only remaining pony express stop. Beginning in 1860 the pony express operated like a giant relay race between the missouri river and the pacific coast. Across nevada with the pony express and overland stage line. Learn about life in the 1860s at the new visitors information center adjacent to the cabin.
The site of the station, located a short distance to the east, is private property. The staff said that a book was published that said the station is haunted, but that. Hollenberg pony express station plan your visit kansas. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site 2889 23rd rd, hanover, kansas 66945 rated 4. Hollenberg pony express station kansas historical society. Intending to capitalize on the many wagon trains passing his way on the oregoncalifornia trail, hollenberg s sixroom building initially served as a grocery store, tavern, and an unofficial post office. The 1857 house at hollenberg station, a rare example of a station still standing unaltered in its original location, is surrounded by a 7acre state park. Waddells papers, now in a collection at the huntington library in san marino. The hollenberg pony express station near hanover, kansas is the most intact pony express station left.
Hollenberg pony express station was a stop on the pony express and a way. Joseph, missouri, to san francisco, california, using a continuous relay of the. Including the hollenberg pony express station, the potts ford bridge, and more martin, martha on. Today, hollenberg pony express station near hanover, kansas is a national historic landmark managed by the kansas state historical society. Both guests have employees have reported strange activity here, including apparitions of pony express riders who have been spotted in the summer months, the sounds of running hooves and shouts. See more ideas about pony express, pony and old west. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site kansas historical. Hollenbergs station also supplied emigrants with food, clothing, livestock, and a place to rest themselves and their horses. In wyoming molly slade and her children lived at horseshoe station where the station keeper her husband was not only a division superintendent for the pony express but also. Hollenberg pony express station hanover kansas real.
For more information, or to book a tour please contact. Hollenberg pony express station kansapedia kansas historical. Gc2bn1a pony express hollenberg station traditional cache. The physical remains of both services are extant on public lands in western utah and are being preserved, interpreted and continually studied.
Megan, the sites director, gave us a great overview of the buildings and history of the pony express station. Hollenberg in 1858, to serve travelers on the oregon and california trails, and was used by the pony express when it was established in 1860. Depot clifton community historical society and museum, clifton. This is the only unaltered pony express station still in existence. Yet im intrigued by the history of the pony express trail and reckon its as good a way as any to get to california. How three friends keep the mail moving is just part of this fastmoving tale about the great experiment in transcontinental communication. As a public health precaution, the smithsonian is postponing or canceling all public events, programming and gatherings through. Washington county historical society washington, ks. The pony express was a mail service delivering messages, newspapers, and mail using relays of horsemounted riders that operated from april 3, 1860 to october 24, 1861 between missouri and california in the united states of america operated by central overland california and pikes peak express company, the pony express was a great financial investment to the u. Loved seeing the original building and reading of its important place in history. She is best known for her awardwinning, literatureinspired, language arts program, total language plus, which she created over twenty years ago, and is used by thousands of homeschoolers.
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