Hard to believe such a legendary institution only existed for such a short period of time. Later pop culture sure made it seem like that was not the case. Kudos to those brave riders.
I agree. As a non American i was baffled at the dates on the title. I figured there must be more explanation. But apparently it literally just lasted a year and fizzled out.
Have been to St Jo and the Patee House Museum & Jesse James House. Only live about a 2.5 hour drive from there. Marysville, KS, also has a statue of the Pony Express, as well as, one of the original stables. Gothenburg, KS, still has one of the original relay stations. Always enjoy exploring the Pony Express, Oregon, and California Trails in NE Kansas, and SE Nebraska. Also, am not to far from the Santa Fe Trail either.
I remember reading one rider was killed by natives, but his horse, who knew the way by instinct by that point, continued to the next station & inadvertently still delivered the mail.
The Pony Express was an nickname for the service. The official name was The Overland Express Route. It cut the travel time from the Atlantic to the Pacific to 10 days which was half the time normal delivery took by train or wagon coach. It was the only delivery service for many prospectors in the mountains during the gold rush. Riders had strict limits on the weight of their mail bags being no more than 20 pounds. In all of its troubles, the service only lost 1 bag of mail, and that was found and delivered to a Post Office 2 years later.
Wow, this is one of the first videos from simple history i jave enjoyed in a long time. No sponsor that takes up 1/4 of the run time, no click bait title/thumbnail, and was overall very professional.
14 year old in the 1860's: *Delivers mail while being raided by native americans and dies bravely* 14 year olds today: *doing cringe tiktok dances, dangerous and stupid challenges*
@@snorkyfroggy1283 tbf its only because idiots are fun to laugh at and get more famous because of that. I remember reading about a 14 year old shooting a burglar to protect his 6 year old sister just a few years ago.
If I'm not mistaken, it seems like one of the last living Pony Express riders used to live near me. She lived by a big creek at a point that is really popular for launching canoes and kayaks. You would just pay her a few bucks and cut through her field and launch. She was up over 100 years old years ago when I still used to go kayaking. Seems like I remember reading about her being a Pony Express rider in the newspaper right around the time she died. Maybe I'm mistaken or something - maybe it was just something similar - but that's the way I understood it.
If you lived in Boston and wanted to contact someone in Sacramento prior to ~ 1860, - it took months. Communication was by way of steamship all the way around the hemisphere - one way ! Depending on destination the river systems might be utilized by paddle or keel boat but these invariably were only opportunities going north-south and as far west as Independence Missouri. Once fur trappers, mining interests, explorers and cartographers had been establishing navigatable routes, the overland stage made the trip cross-country quicker but it still took several weeks at least. The Pony Express was a uniquely American enterprise. The most expedient thus far - but riddled with various limiting factors. It remained operating for only about a year and a half. The company wanted very young unmarried males. A limit to the rider's weight was paramount, as was proficiency with firearms. 'Changeover stations' were about every 25 or 30 miles unless one was 'taken out' by natives. The men made exceptionally good pay owing to the extreme danger and hazards. The Pony Express has had a very romantic image associated with it owing to the pay- risks - and ride; the lone or maverick status of riders, and it's brief and powerful exit from American history. After the war, the telegraph came into it's own, and railroad interests raced for the west coast, - these things also contributed to The 'Pony's' relatively quick cessation.
I live in Nevada there are several pony express stations near by; if you are able I recommend visiting these historical locations. Fort Churchill, pretty cool.
Postmen then: "I rode miles through enemy territory risking my life to deliver your birthday card." Postmen now: "I knocked once and immediately fucked off because I can't be expected to wait for someone to reach the door."
For some odd reason I thought the pony express started in the 1840's or 1850's and lasted until the telegraph and trains put it out of business. Shame on me....I minored in History in college, lol.
This is awesome I love the branching out. Old west, feudal Japan, and medieval/Renaissance videos would be pretty sweet to watch your guys style on it. Keep up the great work.
My third great grandfather rode with the Pony Express. He experienced it all... Indian attacks, Gunfights, Hard winters. Man lived a thousand different lives. They truly don’t build em like they used to. R.I.P Joseph Barney Wintle 1841-1916 🙏🇺🇸
14 year old in the 1860's: Riding a horse through the country, passing in Indian territory, in the start of the Civil War. 14 year old nowadays: Cringe TikToks, Belly Eyelash, Cringe "Deep" posts, Thinks it can commit murder and can get away with it but it can't ask for extra ketchup in McDonalds, uses Depression and Suicide for attention. (Wait isn't the last one Gacha Kids?)
A couple of points. The Pony Express was not part of the US Post Office. It was a private company, owned and operated by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company. Second, what you referred to as 'staging stations' were called 'home stations' where the rider was replaced by a new one.. Between them were 'swing stations' where a new horse was ready at each of them. The distances varied widely. For instance, between the home stations of Seneca and Marysville, KS, there is a distance of just over 30 miles. Between the two, there were two swing stations, Ash Point and Guittard's. Marysville is about 112 miles west of St Joseph, and there were only two home stations between them, with 11 relay stations strung out along the route, so the average distance between them was less than 10 miles. Whilst I'm not an expert by any means, I did grow up on the trail, have often visited the Pony Express Museum in my hometown of Marysville and the museum in the Hollenberg relay station, the only unaltered Pony Express building on the route. Also, growing up, I had friends who lived in the (very much altered) Guittard's relay station building.
Another outstanding video from this amazing channel. I hope to see the U.S Cavalry on this channel soon, either fighting in the Civil War or on the western plains.
14 year olds in the wild west: *shooting for food taking care to the farm have jobs* 14 years old now: bro give you 10 bucks if you scream I Like fish OH BET
Simple History is an awsome channel. It would be cool to see them do a few one off pro wrestling videos. Like Dark Side of the Ring on Vice tv. Tell some of the tragic or downright insane real life storys of wrestlings rich history. Its a business where fact is often stranger than fiction.
Thank You for this interesting and informative video. Apologies if my following statement is false but I think I have seen a video about Pony Expresss on this channel some time ago,could be dating back 2,3 or more years. I even recongise some of the narration,so I'm curious if this video is a reupload. Regardless, Thank You Simple History for putting out high-quality content that is both educational and entertaining in this man's humble opinion. I hope everyone reading is having a wonderful day/evening.
The first rider is something of debate. Some say it was Alex Rising or Johnny Frey. There is also a rumor of how donuts got their holes. Johnny Frey's sweetheart would bake him biscuits but he rarely had time to stop. She then baked them with a hole in the middle so he could spear it with his finger, picking it up without having to stop. Also, Wild Bill Hickok was a Pony Express employee, a Stationmaster. His reputation as a gunfighter started when he survived a shootout with a deadly gang.
That 14 year old kid was a beast of a kid man. Think about it, he probably had a six shooter revolver or a lever action rifle, or maybe both and took down 7 men alone.
I can only imagine a sort of rebirth where rail transported the bulk of letters & such while the Pony Express delivered the more finely targeted locations & such…
14 yearold, 1860: I'll ride a dangerous route to deliver mail, it may get me killed. 14 yearold, 2021: I'm gonna eat tidepods and complain about how my parents bought me the cheap xbox Me: The world is truly screwed
We learned about this in U.S. history today. I swear y’all got some sorta history book and follow along with the curriculum sometimes cause this has happened more than once
Oh, its a reference to an old song from the 60's. Its a country ballad by Marty Robbins called "Big Iron". Its about an Arizona ranger with a big iron his hip who went into a town to take out an outlaw named Texas red, and in the song they reference that when the ranger and Texas Red dueled, the marks on Red's pistol would have numbered one and twenty more (the amount of men he killed), if he had not made a " fatal slip", by messing with the ranger with the big iron on his hip. Its a really good song, 100% would recommend. I think it is in Fallout NV too, based on the comment above, but I don't know, never played, on Fo4 and 76
Hard to believe such a legendary institution only existed for such a short period of time. Later pop culture sure made it seem like that was not the case. Kudos to those brave riders.
The idea itself wasn’t new. This practice was done in ancient times. The company just figured to reuse this and jackpot. It’s free real estate.
@@S0ULJA006 True. But that jackpot sure didn't get far enough, and some of those riders met tragic ends in the civil war.
It was inspired by a similar idea from the Mongol Empire
in America maybe but it existed in Persia from Ancient Persian Empire until later 19th century and arrival of Telegram
I agree. As a non American i was baffled at the dates on the title. I figured there must be more explanation. But apparently it literally just lasted a year and fizzled out.
After the internet goes, I'll be applying for this job field.
👍
But instead of one horse, you would have 200 to 500 horses.
Meanwhile, in Texas...
@Isaac Vaughn if I ever see his name on the list , I'm pulling out of that job.
Eh. Just play new vegas
I'm from St. Joseph and our city loves the pony express. We even have a statue of a rider in our town square.
I would love to see that. History is fascinating
I loved St. Joseph when I was there. My favorite places were the Glore psychiatric museum and the Heaton-Bowman-Smith funeral museum.
Have been to St Jo and the Patee House Museum & Jesse James House. Only live about a 2.5 hour drive from there. Marysville, KS, also has a statue of the Pony Express, as well as, one of the original stables. Gothenburg, KS, still has one of the original relay stations. Always enjoy exploring the Pony Express, Oregon, and California Trails in NE Kansas, and SE Nebraska. Also, am not to far from the Santa Fe Trail either.
I’m also from saint Joseph
Nice
I remember reading one rider was killed by natives, but his horse, who knew the way by instinct by that point, continued to the next station & inadvertently still delivered the mail.
14 year old rider going across 1860s America and killing 7 of his assailants before going down ?
Damn. What a chad.
Something you no longer see with todays generation...
@@lasombra1469 okay boomer
@@afinoxi well he's right in some way
@@lasombra1469 I’m gonna do what I can to change that
@@giuseppenasca2091 well yes, in some way. The unfortunate side effect of “protective” laws is that youth aren’t made to be or seen as actual people
The Pony Express was an nickname for the service. The official name was The Overland Express Route. It cut the travel time from the Atlantic to the Pacific to 10 days which was half the time normal delivery took by train or wagon coach. It was the only delivery service for many prospectors in the mountains during the gold rush. Riders had strict limits on the weight of their mail bags being no more than 20 pounds. In all of its troubles, the service only lost 1 bag of mail, and that was found and delivered to a Post Office 2 years later.
To anyone who is wondering, the background music is called “Horses to water”
Thank you.
Wow, this is one of the first videos from simple history i jave enjoyed in a long time. No sponsor that takes up 1/4 of the run time, no click bait title/thumbnail, and was overall very professional.
These dang whipper snappers and their new fangled telegraph machines!
I used to work for securicor pony express in the uk, never got to shoot anyone though... As much as i would have liked.
I reported a dumbass
@RITA - F**UСК МЕ stop it
@@debmalyabanerjee5154 I reported a snowflake.
Wish for video about the M1911A1 and the 45ACP in the future.
Same here
I agree 👍
Yes
Lol the pony express ended because the USSR influenced our politicians to disrupt our communication systems
Since they gave us a video about the M1 Garand i agree
Desire to reinstall Red Dead 2 INTENSIFIES🤠
I’d have that too if I uninstalled it
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~aaaaaaaaaaaa
Desire to even get Red Dead 2 intensifies for me since I don't even have it lol (yes this comment is late, no I don't care)
@@anoriginalname410 his comment is older than the video itself lol
@@ydlmav cuz the video is unlisted
14 year old in the 1860's: *Delivers mail while being raided by native americans and dies bravely*
14 year olds today: *doing cringe tiktok dances, dangerous and stupid challenges*
I'm not even surprised we went to this
😂
@@snorkyfroggy1283 tbf its only because idiots are fun to laugh at and get more famous because of that. I remember reading about a 14 year old shooting a burglar to protect his 6 year old sister just a few years ago.
He died trespassing through someone’s land.
@La Sombra What a very boomer quote.
If I'm not mistaken, it seems like one of the last living Pony Express riders used to live near me. She lived by a big creek at a point that is really popular for launching canoes and kayaks. You would just pay her a few bucks and cut through her field and launch. She was up over 100 years old years ago when I still used to go kayaking. Seems like I remember reading about her being a Pony Express rider in the newspaper right around the time she died. Maybe I'm mistaken or something - maybe it was just something similar - but that's the way I understood it.
No females rode .
If you lived in Boston and wanted to contact someone in Sacramento prior to ~ 1860, - it took months. Communication was by way of steamship all the way around the hemisphere - one way ! Depending on destination the river systems might be utilized by paddle or keel boat but these invariably were only opportunities going north-south and as far west as Independence Missouri.
Once fur trappers, mining interests, explorers and cartographers had been establishing navigatable routes, the overland stage
made the trip cross-country quicker but it still took several weeks at least.
The Pony Express was a uniquely American enterprise. The most expedient thus far - but riddled with various limiting factors. It remained operating for only about a year and a half.
The company wanted very young unmarried males.
A limit to the rider's weight was paramount, as was proficiency with firearms.
'Changeover stations' were about every 25 or 30 miles
unless one was 'taken out'
by natives.
The men made exceptionally good pay owing to the extreme danger and hazards.
The Pony Express has had a very romantic image associated with it owing to the pay- risks - and ride; the lone or maverick status of riders, and it's brief and powerful exit from American history.
After the war, the telegraph came into it's own, and railroad interests raced for the west coast, -
these things also contributed to The 'Pony's' relatively quick cessation.
I live in Nevada there are several pony express stations near by; if you are able I recommend visiting these historical locations. Fort Churchill, pretty cool.
Postmen then: "I rode miles through enemy territory risking my life to deliver your birthday card."
Postmen now: "I knocked once and immediately fucked off because I can't be expected to wait for someone to reach the door."
For some odd reason I thought the pony express started in the 1840's or 1850's and lasted until the telegraph and trains put it out of business. Shame on me....I minored in History in college, lol.
me too lmao. mandela effect
It is understandable as much as it is said about it you'd think it was a staple for many years.
That damn Wells Fargo looks like they might have a habit of forgetting about their employees..
Just happened to close my account with them several days ago. So very glad I did.
I’d like to see a video on the history of scalping and the significance behind it.
This is awesome I love the branching out. Old west, feudal Japan, and medieval/Renaissance videos would be pretty sweet to watch your guys style on it. Keep up the great work.
I always wondered about the Pony Express. Thank you for sharing!
I have Spanish Mustangs, the breed that the Pony Express. One heckuva durable horse. These mustangs win the long distance races.
United Sates Postal Service
: Well get there in no less than 5 minutes
Pony Express : I get it there in 4 days
Pony Express faster than the PO
5 minutes with modern strutures like highway and roads
4 days with lone horse in the wild wasteland of the 1800s with no surrounding shops or people
Thanks for another wild west episode! Really love them!👍
Amazing how fast technology changes everything
My third great grandfather rode with the Pony Express. He experienced it all... Indian attacks, Gunfights, Hard winters. Man lived a thousand different lives. They truly don’t build em like they used to. R.I.P Joseph Barney Wintle 1841-1916 🙏🇺🇸
My little pony taken to a whole new level
Me who learned about the pony express in 5th grade: Oh I know this.
Exactly!
Yo! I vaguely remember it, yeah.
I did in 4th grade lol
That's one weird school you went to
@@freddyboy800 I lived in the desert area of California. It was there own history
Wild West never gets old :')
yep
Need video about the Bradley IFVs in the future.
That would be awesome I would love to hear about its development I heard it was interesting
RUclips Pentagon Wars Bradley Evolution. This is how it usually works out.
@Jacob Klein he is a member he paid for early access
@@df006 thanks for telling
@@pyeitme508 np
Attempt #4
Should add a series on every WW2 operation
Yes
Thank you for the video
As a non-American, if it wasn’t for this video, I would’ve never understood a single pony express joke
14 year old in the 1860's: Riding a horse through the country, passing in Indian territory, in the start of the Civil War.
14 year old nowadays: Cringe TikToks, Belly Eyelash, Cringe "Deep" posts, Thinks it can commit murder and can get away with it but it can't ask for extra ketchup in McDonalds, uses Depression and Suicide for attention. (Wait isn't the last one Gacha Kids?)
For the last one, yes and it’s the same for a bunch of other types of kids
A couple of points. The Pony Express was not part of the US Post Office. It was a private company, owned and operated by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company.
Second, what you referred to as 'staging stations' were called 'home stations' where the rider was replaced by a new one.. Between them were 'swing stations' where a new horse was ready at each of them. The distances varied widely. For instance, between the home stations of Seneca and Marysville, KS, there is a distance of just over 30 miles. Between the two, there were two swing stations, Ash Point and Guittard's. Marysville is about 112 miles west of St Joseph, and there were only two home stations between them, with 11 relay stations strung out along the route, so the average distance between them was less than 10 miles.
Whilst I'm not an expert by any means, I did grow up on the trail, have often visited the Pony Express Museum in my hometown of Marysville and the museum in the Hollenberg relay station, the only unaltered Pony Express building on the route. Also, growing up, I had friends who lived in the (very much altered) Guittard's relay station building.
"Y'all got a parcel!" - Fairly Odd Parents - Odd, Odd West
My kids Love you're videos thanks for the awesome history lessons 😄😊
This gave me a nostalgic feeling from that one Lucky Luke comic book :)
Butters! You are grounded mister
1:11 yeah they "came up" with a technique that was known through the ages before US of A even existed
Another outstanding video from this amazing channel. I hope to see the U.S Cavalry on this channel soon, either fighting in the Civil War or on the western plains.
14 year olds in the wild west: *shooting for food taking care to the farm have jobs*
14 years old now: bro give you 10 bucks if you scream I Like fish OH BET
Sorry there are gun safety laws.
You should make one on Wild Bill Hickock, also, Billy is holding a colt SAA, which was first produced in 1873.
been waiting for a simple history video to come out the whole day
My Little Pony in real life, colorized.
I found this random comment Aaaaaa
2:50 man what an American legend. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of this boy.
"Ingenious solution"?
Weren't the Romans doing relay postal services 2000 years prior?
The incans did this 24/7 as well, minus the horses of course
Since the 1500's there was an established postal service with riders in central Europe - (Germany (Holy Roman Empire), Austria, Netherlands etc.)
I think the Persians were doing it first.
The ones who did it frequently over VERY long distances in hostile terrain
Were the Mongols
Genghis Khan had a similar system but he had riders jump from horse to horse to cut all time loss
"Nieeeeeeeeeeh"!
-Pony Express mailman's horse, 1860
Pony Express - TransContinental Railroad - Telegraph - Telephone.....I GET IT NOW!
I read it as "The Polar Express". 😂
That movie is so old
I thought it was about polar express until I clicked on it
The animation in this video is amazing 🤩 !
I kept hearing about the Pony Express in TV shows and movies, but I never knew what it was about, until now.
Wow, in 1861 they can deliver mail anywhere in the country in just a few days but it takes 2 weeks for my package to arrive by plane and car.
Comments: 4 days ago
Video: 16 seconds ago
What.
Edit: oh yeah they're exclusive members
Yeah I just noticed that. What’s that all about?
I think they are exclusive members or something, as they can get videos a bit earlier
its because of the members they have early access to the videos
They also have a military rank insignia badge by their name on this channel
"Im the mailman"
-Pony Express mailman, 1860
Simple History is an awsome channel. It would be cool to see them do a few one off pro wrestling videos. Like Dark Side of the Ring on Vice tv. Tell some of the tragic or downright insane real life storys of wrestlings rich history. Its a business where fact is often stranger than fiction.
That one Google Doodle game got me really into the Pony Express history to be honest
Last time I was this early the video was delivered via Pony Express
Thank You for this interesting and informative video. Apologies if my following statement is false but I think I have seen a video about Pony Expresss on this channel some time ago,could be dating back 2,3 or more years. I even recongise some of the narration,so I'm curious if this video is a reupload. Regardless, Thank You Simple History for putting out high-quality content that is both educational and entertaining in this man's humble opinion. I hope everyone reading is having a wonderful day/evening.
I’m from saint Joseph as well, always love that pony express pride!
The first rider is something of debate. Some say it was Alex Rising or Johnny Frey. There is also a rumor of how donuts got their holes. Johnny Frey's sweetheart would bake him biscuits but he rarely had time to stop. She then baked them with a hole in the middle so he could spear it with his finger, picking it up without having to stop.
Also, Wild Bill Hickok was a Pony Express employee, a Stationmaster. His reputation as a gunfighter started when he survived a shootout with a deadly gang.
Ngl this is one of the most under appreciated events in history
That 14 year old kid was a beast of a kid man. Think about it, he probably had a six shooter revolver or a lever action rifle, or maybe both and took down 7 men alone.
If the 14 year old just ran towards the crate and grabbed it, he would've unlocked the Gatling.
Why did I think of that old movie: The Polar Express..
Exactly
It remembered me of the Mojave Express from Fallout New Vegas.
@@NautilusSSN571
That game got me to like Fallout a lot, so me being new is why I like Fallout 4 while many didn’t like it
Everybody outlaw till the pony express appears over the horizon.
I can only imagine a sort of rebirth where rail transported the bulk of letters & such while the Pony Express delivered the more finely targeted locations & such…
Who wants to re-create this in Red Dead Redemption 2?
Already did.
I literally watched the 1950s movie just yesterday. Perfect timing.
You are the best historian in the world
14 yearold, 1860: I'll ride a dangerous route to deliver mail, it may get me killed.
14 yearold, 2021: I'm gonna eat tidepods and complain about how my parents bought me the cheap xbox
Me: The world is truly screwed
I even complain if I have to pay $5.00 for shipping today, let alone 180 years ago
Back when I was in school we were taught about this in history class.
Still probably got Mail delivered faster than USPS did in 2021. I’m still waiting on a card my mom sent on 02/01/2021 and it’s almost March now!
History is the best subject 🔥
This video was really good and very helpfull!
We learned about this in U.S. history today. I swear y’all got some sorta history book and follow along with the curriculum sometimes cause this has happened more than once
*my little ponies getting shot at*
You mean the Earth ones.
I wish there is a video for good canons (old ones, like on wooden ships)
I love this channel
Did they carry a big iron on their hip?
The courier liked that
No, he made a slip.
Oh, its a reference to an old song from the 60's. Its a country ballad by Marty Robbins called "Big Iron". Its about an Arizona ranger with a big iron his hip who went into a town to take out an outlaw named Texas red, and in the song they reference that when the ranger and Texas Red dueled, the marks on Red's pistol would have numbered one and twenty more (the amount of men he killed), if he had not made a " fatal slip", by messing with the ranger with the big iron on his hip. Its a really good song, 100% would recommend. I think it is in Fallout NV too, based on the comment above, but I don't know, never played, on Fo4 and 76
meanwhile people think mail getting late through a historical snowstorm is inconvienent-
I learned more on here than I did in AP U.S History back in high school 😂
It’s crazy to think out teacher read us the pony express in 3rd grade and now I’m teaching it to my students
🎶🎵”My Lit-tle Po-ny (Express), My Lit-tle Po-ny (Express)! Ah-ah-ah-ahhhh!”
To quote The Lone Ranger:"Hi-ho,Silver! Away!!!"
I live near part of the P.E. in Utah. Its a whole lot of dirt road and nothing. A few mines and if your lucky you will see a bunch of wild horses.
You guys are the best.
Very good!
This would be an interesting basis for a movie
You guys should make a video over the boer war
this kid was the real courrier six.
I have a copy of that very pony express poster featured at the end framed on my wall.
Well pardner, i reckon I got early access
Time to hit that dusty trail
Yee haw!
wow this is still faster then most modern delivery services
You should make a video about the "Mormon Battalion" I had ancestors there.
This is odd considering I drove past one of the old stations yesterday and that I began my trip from St.Joseph to California for work Thursday.
I had family that worked in the pony express.
From Pony Express to Couriers of the US wasteland of Fallout, one thing is constant: people will always find a way to get the word out
Only lasting 2 years, yet is in nearly every "western" themed novel, movie, and video game.
Do the defense of Peking 1900 for a video