"Saddle and Mochila"
On April 3, 1860 the eastern Pony Express mail arrived by train and it was late. To save time the Pony Express Company which was located in the Patee House at 12th and Penn Streets had the mail taken directly to the post office. The post office was closer to the ferry landing and was located on the east side of Second Street 120 feet north of Francis St.
The mail was first put into the four castinas (pockets of the "Mochila" (mo-che-la). The mail consisted of a few newspapers printed on light weight paper, 49 letters and 9 telegrams. They were then wrapped in oiled skin for additional weatherproofing.
The first Pony Express left from the post office at 7:15 p.m. and arrived in San Francisco after nearly 2,000 miles at 1:00 a.m. on April 14. That trip took 10 days, 7 hours and 45 minutes.
© 1990 Joe Nardone
Dedicated April 3, 1990
130th Pony Express Awareness Anniversary
Marker is at the intersection of 3rd Street and Felix Street, on the right when traveling south on 3rd Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
