Gold was discovered in California in 1848. Suddenly everyone wanted to be there. Over 300,000 people joined the Gold Rush, and soon the population of California was over half a million.
In 1850, California became a state. It had many things going for it. One thing it did not have was fast communication with the east coast.
Earlier, in 1845, a message sent by President James Polk in Washington had taken six months to reach California. By 1855, mail from the east took 24 days by stagecoach and more than a month by boat.
The people and businesses wanted the government to find a way to speed up communication between the east and west of the country.
In 1860, the Pony Express began operating. Its goal was to deliver mail in ten days.
While it lasted less than two years, it made huge change in communication across the United States. Here are some fun facts about the Pony Express.
Do you know:
How long was the shortest ride and what information did it carry?
What tribe of Native Americans cost the Pony Express over $75,000?
How only was the youngest Pony Express rider?
Who was the first Pony Express rider?
Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.
Ages 8 and up.
All measurements in American and metric.
Reading Level: 6.8
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