American engineering recordhistoric american landscapes survey contains drawings, photos, and data pages of the hollenberg pony express station. The onsite visitors center explores the history of the paiute indians, the triple murder that launched the war, life at the fort, and the exploits of pony express riders who delivered mail to and from the nearby station. During the civil war, it helped preserve the union by providing rapid communication between. The author of this article is solely responsible for its content. Four miles from the west wing, this is a must for us history.
The article includes a brief history of the pony express, an annotated bibliography, a descriptive list of pony express stations, a tabulation of mileages between stations from st. The hollenberg pony express station, also known as cottonwood pony express station, is the. This was a book that was written by two people interviewing different station keepers and riders that worked in the pony express. Bethann along with her little sister are running from a mistake and find security at a pony express station and love in the quiet affection of a shy pony express rider. Hollenberg pony express station, hanover kshs kansas museums. Explains the route of the pony express and accounts from pony express riders. From 1860 to 1861 it included a pony express station. Joseph converge before heading west through nebraska and on to oregon. The original station house is sparsely furnished but provides a. Today, hollenberg pony express station near hanover, kansas is a national historic landmark managed by the kansas state historical society. The foundation of accountable pony express history rests in the few. The kansas historical society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the states history. The transcontinental telegraph and the end of the pony express.
After all, someone had to feed those riders and station keepers and the gaggle of other males working as wranglers and blacksmiths and superintendents. Hollenberg had lived an adventurous life before he came to kansas territory in 1854. Poster from the pony express, advertising fast mail delivery to san. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover. 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 is only a few miles northwest of marysville. This historical marker gives a brief history of the hollenberg ranch and the pony express. If you want to know even more, find books to read in our bibliography. 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.
Celebrating kansas voices hollenberg pony express station. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site youtube. Pony express stations across the american west legends. A native of germany, he sailed to the united states in the late 1840s. Gerat hollenberg was a german immigrant who had first crossed the. Depot clifton community historical society and museum, clifton. Historic sites in kansas legends of kansas history.
Hollenberg, kansas pony express station between home stations, there were several relay rider or swing stations. The hollenberg pony express station is located about 2 miles 3. Each station was located between 15 to 20 miles apart. At each relay station, riders would exchange their tired horse for a fresh one. Only one pony express station remains in its original configuration and on its original site. Pony express station gothenburg 2020 all you need to. The largest pony express station stories of the pony express seem larger than life. The station is located on the oregoncalifornia trail and was also a stop for stagecoaches and settlers moving west. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site. Joseph to fort laramie and brief descriptions of pony express riders. It was initially built in 1857 as a waystation to serve emigrant traffic on the oregon and california trails.
The hollenberg station became an important hub along the way for pony express travelers and geret hollenberg eventually established a grocery and stage depot on his farm in 1858. Pony express stations stations national pony express association. The hollenberg farm housed nine boarding rooms, and the success of hollenberg station as a business attracted more people to the area and many settled alongside the hollengbergs in the decade leading up. Haunted hollenberg station, kansas legends of america. A thrilling and truthful history of the pony express. The hollenberg pony express station is rooted in a rich history, so make sure to stop by on your journey through the northeastern part of the state. Hollenberg pony express station kansas historical society. Today it is a museum which some people believe it is haunted. Pony express womensophia hollenberg and hollenberg station a footnote from history by stephanie grace whitson. The station was established by the hollenbergs in 1857 to capture trade on the oregoncalifornia trail. The terrain determined the number and the distance between home stations and relay stations. Hollenberg pony express station grade 4 hanover, ks. This is the only unaltered pony express station still in existence. At each relief station, riders would simply grab the mochilla off one mount.
Hollenberg pony express station state historic site kansas historical. Including the hollenberg pony express station, the potts ford bridge, and more martin, martha on. 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. Joseph on the fringe of western settlement and gold mining communities of california challenged the bold and made skeptical the timid.
Discover the stories of the hollenbergs, pioneer life, and the pony express at this national historic landmark. The pony express turns 150 this year, spawning museum exhibits. The hollenberg ranch began in 1858 and was a stop for pony express beginning in 1861. The relay station is possibly the only unaltered pony express building on an original site. 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. Hollenberg pony express station, hanover, kansas 1858 pony express station that also served as a stop along the oregoncalifornia trail. Washington county historical society washington, ks. Pony express riders and hundreds of pioneers made a stop at historic hollenberg station.
Or blazing the westward way, and other sketches and incidents of those stirring times. Women arent often mention in connection with the pony express. The station consists of a 112 story rectangular cottonwood frame building, with a gabled roof, wooden shingled exterior, and stone foundation. Painting of station, horse and rider, stagecoach, and a horsedrawn wagon. Locations were governed by necessity, not convenience. The pony express began mail delivery service on the of april, 1860 the pony express was the first fast overland mail service to the pacific coast. Theres no record of a woman ever taking part as a rider, but that doesnt mean women didnt play an important role.
William buffalo bill cody pictured became a pony express rider at age 15, and claimed to have arrived at a relay station to find the relief rider dead, whereupon he mounted a fresh horse, rode to the next station, and made the return ride, covering a distance of around 325. The station served as the last pony express stop in kansas. Including the hollenberg pony express station, the potts ford bridge, and more. Daring riders galloping across the prairie and mountains, changing horses every 1012 miles and riding 75 miles before taking their relief. Media in category hollenberg pony express station the following 19 files are in this category, out of 19 total. The historical landmark sign along highway 50 isnt promising bent, faded, defaced with graffiti and most folks drive on by. In the era before electronic communication, the pony express was the. Hollenberg s station also supplied emigrants with food, clothing, livestock, and a place to rest themselves and their horses.
The pony express and haunted hollenberg station the pony express was one of the most daring enterprises undertaken in the frontier west. Hollenberg station located near hanover, kansas is a sevenacre state park and national historic landmark that boasts the only pony express station in kansas remaining in its original location. Documents for the study of american history from 1400s to 2000s. 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 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. Pony express historic travel guide american heritage. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site 2889 23rd rd, hanover, kansas 66945 rated 4.
Built in 1857, the station became a popular stop for pony express riders. Hollenberg pony express station state historic site, hanover, ks. Pony express womensophia hollenberg and hollenberg station. The gamblers daughter by darlene franklin gambling debts drive caroline adamss estranged father away from the chelan swing station before her arrival. Dicks adventures at a way station for riders to change horses. 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. A station on the pony express line and seated on the oregon and california trails, the hollenberg station is an interesting stop as you travel 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. When was the first mail delivered via pony express. Shiloh museum of ozark history recommended for you. Gerat and sophia hollenberg, german emigrants, sold food and other supplies, lodging, and draft animals to passing travelers. Pony express station hollenberg ranch and the pony express begun in 1858, the hollenberg ranch, four miles north and one mile east of here, served as a stop on the oregoncalifornia trail until the late 1860s. While visiting the hollenberg pony express station near hanover, kansas i learned the pony express operated for only 18 months.
Hollenberg pony express station state historic site home. The site also offers a picnic area, nature trail, museum, historical markers and monuments. The most complete books on the pony express are the story of. Haunted hollenberg station, kansas hollenberg pony express station, kansas in midcentury america, communication between st. Pony express historical marker washington, ks 66968. The hollenberg pony express station is the only pony express station still standing on its original site with its original dimensions intact.
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