The Pony Express: A Photographic History

Fast horses, intrepid young riders, and miles of untamed land these are the elements of one of American history s most enduring stories: the Pony Express. During its brief existence, the Pony Express captured the American imagination, and nearly a century and a half later, it still does. In this photographic retelling of the legendary mail service s rise and fall, husband-and-wife authors Bill and Jan Moeller combine exhaustive historical research with exquisite camera work to create a stunning, full-color pictorial history. Following the 2,000-mile Pony Express Trail from Independence, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, the Moellers photographed sites, remnants, and reconstructions of Pony Express stations, surrounding landscapes, and traces of the trail itself. In the accompanying text, the authors provide a brief history of this unique, eighteen-month business venture, along with dramatic highlights, such as Pony Bob Haslam s astounding 380-mile ride, Uncle Nick Wilson s survival of an arrow in his skull, and Wild Bill Hickok s gunfight with David McCanles at Rock Creek Station in Nebraska.