West Sacramento in Yolo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pony Express Bridge
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 29, 2009
1. Front of the Pony Express Bridge Marker
Reverse:
The first bridge to span the Sacramento River was built by the Sacramento and Yolo Bridge Company. It was a wooden spring span bridge, completed on June 27, 1858 at a cost of $60,000. The toll was 5 cents per pedestrian.
The bridge was 70 and 174 feet north of the west and east ends of today’s “I” Street Bridge. This bridge was used by the 1860-1861 Pony Express 20 times from Sacramento to San Francisco. All other Pony Express mail between these two cities both westbound and eastbound was carried by the river steamers. They docked at the foot of “K” Street in Old Sacramento.
Sam Hamilton was the first Pony Express rider over this bridge. He left Sacramento at 1:15 a.m. on April 23, 1860 crossing here a few minutes later.
2000 Joe Nardone
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this page online
Erected 2000 by See Front of Marker Inscription.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pony Express National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1898.
Location. 38° 34.997′ N, 121° 30.53′ W. Marker is in West Sacramento, California, in Yolo County. Marker can be reached from 2nd Street. Marker is located at the entrance to Veterans Plaza on the River Walk, at the southern end of the 600 block of 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Sacramento CA 95605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Hydraulic Mining (a few steps from this marker); The Rivers’ Flow (a few steps from this marker); Salmon Cannery (a few steps from this marker); First Pacific Coast Salmon Cannery (a few steps from this marker); Flood Control (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacramento Skyline (within shouting distance of this marker); Influences on the River (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Sacramento.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 29, 2009
2. Back of the Pony Express Bridge Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Only Twenty Pony Express Rides Over This Bridge
The main mail carrier of the Pony Express mail to San Francisco were the river steamers owned by the California Steam Navagation Company. These steamers would leave Sacramento at 2:00 p.m. with the mail for San Francisco everyday but did not operate on Sunday. There were 20 Pony Express trips overland by horseback to San Francisco. This was due to the mail arriving after the 2:00 p.m. departure time or on a Sunday.
See the Nearby marker Pony Express River Steamer "Antelope" marker for additional information.
— Submitted January 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 29, 2009
3. Wide View of Front of the Pony Express Bridge Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 29, 2009
4. Wide View of Back of the Pony Express Bridge Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, July 3, 2019
5. Pony Express Bridge Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 29, 2009
6. Close-Up of Artwork on Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 29, 2009
7. Today's "I" Street Bridge Mentioned on Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 26, 2009
8. "I" Street Bridge
View of the "I" Street Bridge taken from the Hornblower excursion tour.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,522 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on July 11, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 6. submitted on January 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on January 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on September 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
