By [Cris Alarcon]
El Dorado County, Calif. — May 26, 2025
The thundering hooves of history return to El Dorado County on Wednesday, June 11, as the 2025 Pony Express Annual Re-Ride gallops across the Sierra foothills in a ten-day, non-stop journey from Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
Covering 1,966 miles across eight states, this commemorative event retraces the original 1860-1861 mail route that once united the country in just ten days before the telegraph rendered it obsolete. Riders, dressed in period attire, pass a mochila (mail pouch) relay-style through hundreds of hands—each carrying stamped letters from a modern world back into a living past.
El Dorado County remains a crown jewel of the historic trail, home to multiple key Pony Express sites, including the Pleasant Grove House in Rescue, a California Historical Landmark; Sportsman’s Hall in Pollock Pines, once a vital home station; and Placerville, formerly “Old Hangtown,” where riders exchanged horses and mail amid the bustle of Gold Rush-era commerce.
Though exact stop times are not announced for safety and timing flexibility, the route traditionally follows U.S. Highway 50 east through the county. Visitors hoping to glimpse the riders can track their progress live via GPS updates on the National Pony Express Association website.
Community engagement plays a vital role in the modern Re-Ride. The El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club (EDCARC) will provide critical communications support across California, ensuring both real-time coordination and emergency response capability.
“This is not just a ride—it’s a living relay of American spirit,”
said Rick Thompson, Re-Ride Chair for the California Division of the National Pony Express Association.
“Each rider carries more than mail. They carry a legacy.”
Residents can participate by submitting a commemorative or personal letter to be carried in the mochila. Letters cost $5 for commemorative mail or $10 for personal correspondence, which will be delivered via horseback from Sacramento to Missouri and then by the U.S. Postal Service.
Although no major public events are officially scheduled within El Dorado County, local historical societies and community boards often host informal gatherings to celebrate the ride. The El Dorado County Historical Museum in Placerville is an excellent place to explore the legacy year-round.
For schedule updates, live tracking, or to send a letter, visit:
www.nationalponyexpress.org
HISTORIC STOPS IN EL DORADO COUNTY
1. Placerville (Old Hangtown)
Status: Major relay station.
Significance: A booming gold rush town and transportation hub. Placerville was where riders switched horses and handed off the mochila (mail pouch).
Location Today: Look for the Pony Express monument on Main Street and a commemorative plaque near the Bell Tower.
Fun Fact: The town earned its name for vigilante justice — riders and horses moved quickly through this no-nonsense territory.
2. Pleasant Grove House, Rescue
Status: Official Pony Express Station.
Historical Marker No. 703.
Details: Built in the 1850s, the Pleasant Grove House served travelers and riders. The building still stands today and is privately owned but occasionally opens to the public.
Significance: One of the few original structures remaining from the Pony Express trail.
3. Sportsman’s Hall, Pollock Pines
Status: Home Station.
Historical Marker No. 708.
Details: Riders and horses rested and changed here. A fresh rider would often take over and tackle the treacherous climb toward Echo Summit.
Today: Now a restaurant and saloon with a Pony Express plaque and historical memorabilia.
Fun Fact: Riders often faced snowdrifts, mountain lions, and bandits after leaving this station.
4. Strawberry Station (Strawberry Valley)
Status: Way Station.
Details: Located just past Kyburz on U.S. Route 50.
Significance: A critical station before the steep ascent over Echo Summit into Nevada.
HISTORICAL PERSONALITIES
William “Sam” Hamilton
Role: One of the most reliable riders in California.
Known For: Riding over 60 miles in harsh terrain through El Dorado County to meet the eastern rider at Sportsman’s Hall.
Quote from Records: “Rode like he was chased by the Devil himself.”
“Buffalo Bill” Cody (William F. Cody)
Myth vs. Truth: Though Buffalo Bill is one of the most famous names tied to the Pony Express, he likely rode in Wyoming and Nebraska and not in El Dorado County. His fame came later in Wild West shows that romanticized the Express.
Bolivar Roberts
Role: Division Superintendent for the Pony Express in California.
Significance: Oversaw operations in the region, including station construction and rider contracts.
Tidbit: Often traveled ahead of riders to ensure horses and supplies were ready.
Howard Egan
Role: Pony Express agent and station operator.
Known For: Detailed journal entries that helped document the early operations across California and Nevada.
LEGACY IN EL DORADO COUNTY
Today, El Dorado County proudly commemorates its Pony Express history with historical markers, monuments, and annual re-enactments. Riders in the Annual Re-Ride wear period-accurate gear and often stop at these same stations, keeping the lore alive.
About the National Pony Express Association (NPEA):
The NPEA is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the Pony Express. Through education, reenactments, and community events, the NPEA keeps the spirit of the Old West alive for generations to come.
About the Pony Express Annual Re-Ride
The Annual Re-Ride is a living history event that celebrates the legacy of the Pony Express, which operated from April 1860 to October 1861. Though short-lived, the service became legendary for its daring riders, rugged terrain, and commitment to fast mail delivery across a developing nation. Spanning over 1,800 miles across eight states, the Pony Express Re-Ride is a 24/7 non-stop relay involving hundreds of riders and horses. Commemorative letters are carried in a mochila, just as they were over 160 years ago. The re-ride is both a living history experience and a logistical achievement, preserving the spirit of the original Pony Express. “This event bridges generations and geography, ” said Petra Keller, Corresponding Secretary, National Pony Express Association. “We ride to honor those fearless messengers of the past and to keep their memory alive for future generations.”
