National Pony Express Association (NPEA) is a non-profit, volunteer-led historical organization. Its purpose is to preserve the original Pony Express trail and to continue the memory and importance of Pony Express in American history in partnership with the National Park Service, Pony Express Trail Association, and the Oregon-California Trails Association.
The first re-ride of the Pony Express was held in 1923. 60 participants rode across the eight states that had originally made up the Pony Express trail: California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.[1][2]
In April through October 1935, a Pony Express re-ride was held to commemorate the Pony Express' Diamond Jubilee. This date coincided the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Boy Scouts of America and 300 Boy Scouts were participants.[2] Pieces of mail carried by the riders were delivered to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during a ceremony held on the White House lawn.[3]
The National Pony Express Centennial Association was created in 1960 and worked with committees within each of the trail states to organize and conduct a 100th anniversary re-ride. This event attracted state and national attention with included the participation of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the issuing of a commemorative coin by the United States Department of Treasury and the United States Postal Service.[4][5]
In 1966, National Pony Express Association (NPEA) was organized and received official corporate on March 3, 1978. Its national headquarters is located in Pollock Pines, California.[5]
Annual re-rideedit
Since 1980, the National Pony Express Association had held a re-ride every year in June, [5] except in 2020.[6] NPEA members ride across the 1,966 mile route non-stop over 10 days. Beginning in St. Joseph, Missouri and ending in Sacramento, California (alternating beginning and end destinations yearly), riders carry commemorative mail in mochillas.[5] Each rider covers one to ten miles and must be able to change horses and/or mochillas in less than 15 minutes.[7]
The Slide Ride of 1983edit
Postal services were delayed following an avalanche that shut down U.S. Highway 50 between Whitehall and Kyburz, California on April 9, 1983. A contract was drawn up between the U.S. Postal Service and the National Pony Express Association in which riders agreed to carry the mail around the landslide for $2 a day. Riders from the California and Nevada NPEA divisions carried 60,000 pieces of mail (including tax returns) over six weeks.[8][9]
1996 Olympic Torch Relayedit
On May 13–16, 1996, 325 National Pony Express Association riders from all eight state divisions carried the Olympic Torch during the Torch Relay for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Each rider covered 1 to 2 miles across a 544-mile route from Julesburg, Colorado, to St. Joseph, Missouri. The NPEA was the only group of Torchbearers who carried the Torch by horseback and it was also one of a few groups to carry the Torch 24-hours a day.[4]
150th anniversaryedit
Celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express began April 1, 2010. This year's annual re-ride will begin in San Francisco, California on June 6 and end in St. Joseph, Missouri on June 26. This re-ride is longer this year and will only be conducted during daytime hours to give local communities and state Divisions the opportunity to hold celebrations and memorial dedications.[4]
. Archived from the original on 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
October 28, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources National Pony Express Association news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message National Pony Express Association NPEA is a non profit volunteer led historical organization Its purpose is to preserve the original Pony Express trail and to continue the memory and importance of Pony Express in American history in partnership with the National Park Service Pony Express Trail Association and the Oregon California Trails Association Contents 1 History and organization 2 Annual re ride 3 The Slide Ride of 1983 4 1996 Olympic Torch Relay 5 150th anniversary 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory and organization editThe first re ride of the Pony Express was held in 1923 60 participants rode across the eight states that had originally made up the Pony Express trail California Nevada Utah Wyoming Colorado Nebraska Kansas and Missouri 1 2 In April through October 1935 a Pony Express re ride was held to commemorate the Pony Express Diamond Jubilee This date coincided the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Boy Scouts of America and 300 Boy Scouts were participants 2 Pieces of mail carried by the riders were delivered to President Franklin D Roosevelt during a ceremony held on the White House lawn 3 The National Pony Express Centennial Association was created in 1960 and worked with committees within each of the trail states to organize and conduct a 100th anniversary re ride This event attracted state and national attention with included the participation of President Dwight D Eisenhower and the issuing of a commemorative coin by the United States Department of Treasury and the United States Postal Service 4 5 In 1966 National Pony Express Association NPEA was organized and received official corporate on March 3 1978 Its national headquarters is located in Pollock Pines California 5 Annual re ride editSince 1980 the National Pony Express Association had held a re ride every year in June 5 except in 2020 6 NPEA members ride across the 1 966 mile route non stop over 10 days Beginning in St Joseph Missouri and ending in Sacramento California alternating beginning and end destinations yearly riders carry commemorative mail in mochillas 5 Each rider covers one to ten miles and must be able to change horses and or mochillas in less than 15 minutes 7 The Slide Ride of 1983 editPostal services were delayed following an avalanche that shut down U S Highway 50 between Whitehall and Kyburz California on April 9 1983 A contract was drawn up between the U S Postal Service and the National Pony Express Association in which riders agreed to carry the mail around the landslide for 2 a day Riders from the California and Nevada NPEA divisions carried 60 000 pieces of mail including tax returns over six weeks 8 9 1996 Olympic Torch Relay editOn May 13 16 1996 325 National Pony Express Association riders from all eight state divisions carried the Olympic Torch during the Torch Relay for the 1996 Summer Olympics Each rider covered 1 to 2 miles across a 544 mile route from Julesburg Colorado to St Joseph Missouri The NPEA was the only group of Torchbearers who carried the Torch by horseback and it was also one of a few groups to carry the Torch 24 hours a day 4 150th anniversary editCelebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express began April 1 2010 This year s annual re ride will begin in San Francisco California on June 6 and end in St Joseph Missouri on June 26 This re ride is longer this year and will only be conducted during daytime hours to give local communities and state Divisions the opportunity to hold celebrations and memorial dedications 4 See also editPony Express Bible Lexington Historical MuseumReferences edit Hauck Louise Platt July 1923 The Pony Express Celebration The Missouri Historical Review XVII 435 439 a b archive poex hrs hrs nps gov Retrieved 2014 03 31 The Pony Express Diamond Jubilee National Postal Museum Postalmuseumblog si edu 1935 08 22 Retrieved 2014 03 08 a b c NPEA Xphomestation com Archived from the original on 2013 10 29 Retrieved 2012 08 02 a b c d archive poex hrs hrs9 nps gov Retrieved 2014 03 31 2020 Re Ride cancelled and letter information Retrieved 14 July 2020 Re Riders of the Purple Sage American Heritage Spring2010 Vol 60 Issue 1 NPEA Xphomestation com Archived from the original on 2013 10 29 Retrieved 2014 03 08 pony express home station about Archived from the original on 2010 02 17 Retrieved 2014 03 31 External links editNational Pony Express Association National Pony Express Association Pony Express National Historic Trail U S National Park Service nps gov Retrieved 2014 02 16 Pony Express National Historic Trail National Parks Conservation Association npca org Retrieved 2014 02 16 Pony Express blm gov Retrieved 2014 02 16 Home National Pony Express Association Nevada Division nevadaponyexpress org Retrieved 2014 02 16 Pony Express Home Station Archived from the original on 2010 02 17 Retrieved 2014 02 16 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title National Pony Express Association amp oldid 1176109785, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
