GENOA, Nev. – Each year, the National Pony Express Association re-creates the Pony Express of 1860-1861 by riding from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Mormon Station State Historic Park is hosting this event in Genoa at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 26.
The national, 10-day, 24 hour-a-day event includes more than 600 riders stationed at intervals to relay a mochila (mailbag) filled with Pony Express Mail for the 1,966 mile ride.
The Pony Express rider will ride into Mormon Station’s stockade, exchange the mochila and see the next rider ride out to the next stop. U.S. Senator Dean Heller is scheduled to be the rider leaving Mormon Station.
History lessons will be given by representatives of the Pony Express Association. This year is the 150-year anniversary of the end of the Pony Express.
Although the rider is scheduled to arrive at Mormon Station around 8:30 a.m., because of the distance traveled, it’s difficult to predict exactly when they arrive.
WHAT: Pony Express re-ride at Mormon Station
WHEN: Friday, August 26, 2011, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
WHERE: Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa, a 20 minute drive from Carson City, via U.S Highway 395, and 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, via state Route 207 and Foothill Road. Genoa is approximately a one-hour drive south of Reno via U.S. Highway 395.
MORE: Plan to bring a picnic and enjoy the green grass under the mature shade trees with family and friends. Please leave dogs at home. Living Legends of Virginia City will be on hand in historic clothing. Be sure to visit the log-cabin museum. Admission to the museum is $1 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. The Pony Express event is free. For more information, please contact the park at 775-782-2590.
