Pony Express in Utah

The Pony Express stands out in the history of the American West, memorable and captivating for the romance and adventure it evokes. The image of the intrepid young rider on a fast horse, crossing mountain and desert with his precious cargo of mail, is known and loved around the world as an icon of the Western frontier. Although its service was short, only about 19 months, its mystique seems to continue to grow after more than 150 years. Utah and the Pony Express were vital to each other. Salt Lake City was the major center of population between the Missouri River and the West Coast. Utah-bred men managed the line, rode the Express horses, and kept vigil at the lonely desert stations. This book tells the stories of those men and those stations, as well as advancements in communication and the celebrations that have kept the memory of the Pony Express in Utah alive.

Patrick Hearty and Dr. Joseph Hatch have spent many hours researching the Pony Express and following the trail. They have also ridden the trail while participating in the annual re-rides of the National Pony Express Association. Hearty is a retired chemist, having worked for the US Department of Labor and Battelle Memorial Institute. Dr. Hatch is an ophthalmologist who continues to practice medicine in Salt Lake City.