Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Pony Express

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

1. The Pony Express Marker

Inscription.

This statue commemorates the glory of The Pony Express, which started here at 2:45 a.m. on April 4, 1860, when Sam Hamilton galloped into a blinding rainstorm on the first lap of the 1,966-mile trip to St. Joseph, Missouri. During its 18-month existence, its riders and 500 ponies carried 35,000 pieces of mail with the loss of but one pouch. This venture, founded by Russell, Majors and Waddell, ended California’s isolation from the rest of the Union.

This memorial was made possible by a gift from the estate of Sophia Pleasants Comstock, funds from the City and County of Sacramento, the State Park System, and the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California and contributions from a host of private donors. It was dedicated on June 4, 1976, by the Sophie Comstock Memorial Committee, Mrs. Anthony J. Kennedy, Chairman. Thomas Holland, Sculptor

Erected 1976 by Sophie Pleasants Comstock, the City and County of Sacramento, the State Park System, and the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California and various private donors (June 4, 1976).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Pony Express National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1834.

Location. 38° 34.994′ N, 121° 30.235′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. It is at the intersection of 2nd Street and J Street, on the left when traveling south on 2nd Street. Marker is located within The Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: B.F. Hastings Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker);

The Pony Express Statue with Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 14, 2005

2. The Pony Express Statue with Marker

Old Sacramento (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Pony Express (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon-Brannan House (within shouting distance of this marker); New England Seed Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Professor L.A. Lauriet's Assay Office (about 300 feet away); Eagle Theatre (about 400 feet away); Booth Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Other markers no longer nearby. Pioneer Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Sacramento's Original Level (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco Founding of the Pony Express. (Submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. Pony Express Home Station History of the Pony Express. (Submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
3. California State Parks Pony Express Statue. (Submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Front View of the Pony Express Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

3. Front View of the Pony Express Statue

The Pony Express Statue - Looking Southeast image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

4. The Pony Express Statue - Looking Southeast

The Pony Express Statue - Looking Northwest image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

5. The Pony Express Statue - Looking Northwest

Older photo of the Pony Express Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Stroud, May 1995

6. Older photo of the Pony Express Statue

The Pony Express statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

7. The Pony Express statue

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

8. The Pony Express statue

The Pony Express Statue Donor Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 10, 2008

9. The Pony Express Statue Donor Plaque

This marker is located on the wall next to the Old Sacramento marker a - few steps north of the statue.

In Memory of Gladys M. (Sis) Kennedy 1906 - 1981 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2019

10. In Memory of Gladys M. (Sis) Kennedy 1906 - 1981

Gentle Lady - Gracious Friend
Exemplary Citizen
The Pony Express statue you see in this plaza is a result of her untiring efforts as chairman of the Sophie Comstock Committee

This marker is located on the wall next to the Old Sacramento marker a few steps north of the statue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,423 times since then and 236 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on December 21, 2007, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 9. submitted on September 10, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 10. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.