Google pays tribute to 155th anniversary of Pony Express with Google Doodle

If you're using Google today you will notice its latest Google Doodle, which celebrates the 155th year of the Pony Express and, notably, was celebrated April 3 in Carson City with the launch of the nation's first active station of the Pony Express, now in Carson City at the Nevada Day Store and Trading Post.

Google animator Nate Swinehart gives more about the history of the Pony Express and documents the doodle process in the video below. He writes:

"The notion of triumph through adversity is so inspirational. So when William H.Russell, Alexander Majors & William B Waddell founded the Pony Express on April 3rd, 1860, they set in motion a wonderful yet daunting method of communication. What a concept–riders with letters on horseback racing from California to Missouri and vice versa to deliver mail on time! True to their word, the first mail arrived on April 14th.

"The Pony Express felt like a great game concept to us at Google. We've made time-based games in the past so our new idea was simple. Collect letters, avoid obstacles and aim for the ultimate 100 letter delivery! We know everyone is busy these days but the Pony Express needs YOU. And ultimately, whatever happens in life, what's more important than earning trust and respect from a horse?"

Closer to home, the legendary 1860s mail carrier trail that used horses and riders to deliver letters and parcels from Sacramento to east of the Rockies, remains a big part of Nevada's Wild West history because the trail went through the Silver State. On April 3, The Nevada Day Store and Trading Post became the nation’s first “active” Pony Express Station, launching a historical venue in that capital city that retraces the history of the mail service operation.

The National Pony Express Riders Association does a historic re-ride annually from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, Calif. The Nevada Division is a part of that. They deliver mail to our lieutenant governor every year on the steps of the Capital. The national, 10-day, 24 hour-a-day event includes more than 600 riders stationed at intervals to relay a mochila (mailbag) filled with Pony Express Mail for the 1,966 mile ride.

The PXP originally started on April 3, 1860 and ended in October of 1861. The Nevada Day Trading Post station launched its program on the same historic day and adopted a new slogan, "Where the West is Alive and the Pony Express Rides... Again!" The store is located at: 108 W Telegraph Street in Carson City. Call 775-882-2600.

Originally there were 34 stops in Nevada. They were used and or substituted in the 18 months that the Pony Express was in use. They were known as Home, Relay, Swing and Remount stations. Each rider rode about 75 miles per day. The PXP originally had 5 divisions from St. Joseph to Sacramento, explained Kim Copél, a Genoa historian who played out some of the history at the April 3 launch of the Active Station.

Noteworthy here is that the success of these riders depended on "Station Keepers and Stock Tenders" for fresh mounts and a place to eat and rest. History tells of an older seasoned group of riders ready in case of emergency. Many riders could count on a fresh horse, saddle and bridle ready to keep the mail moving. What used to take 24 to 30 days depending on weather, now can be done in 10, Copél said.

The young riders, who some were orphans, took an official oath and were sworn in. They were dependable, brave, creative, courageous and endured the harshest of conditions, outlaws, hostile Indian territories and loneliness. They did their work, quick, fast and in a hurry for 18 long and dangerous months. Go here for a summary and photos of the April 3 event, courtesy of Nevada Live Magazine.