On April 3, 2010, the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri held a special celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the first ride of the Pony Express.

During its period of operation from April 1860 to October 1861, the Pony Express provided a vital communications link to California and the west coast of the United States during the beginning of the American Civil War that helped keep California in the Union. It got mail from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California in 10 days by relay on horseback. The operation was a success in proving the central route to California could be traveled year-round and facilitating the eventual building of the transcontinental railroad.

American Legion Pony Express Post 359 is named in honor of the courageous riders of the Pony Express who were willing to “risk death daily” in order to fulfill their mission.

View more history for Post 359 in Saint Joseph, Missouri