Genoa in Douglas County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Jackass Express

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

1. The Jackass Express Marker

Inscription. In 1851, George Chorpenning and fellow Pennsylvania entrepreneur Absalom Woodward received a contract for $14,000 from the U.S. Post Office to establish the first U.S. Mail service between Sacramento, CA and Salt Lake City, UT. The monthly trip was to be made in a record time of 16 days.

The mail-carrying mule train, known as the “Jackass Express” or “Jackass Mail,” left Sacramento on May 1, 1851, and struggled over the Sierra to reach the Carson Valley. A mail station was soon established in Genoa, NV.

Woodward was killed on the route in the first year of operation. Chorpenning continued to renew the contract until 1860, when it was annulled for political reasons. The route and many of the way stations were used by Russell, Majors and Waddell to establish the Pony Express.

Dedicated on March 24th, 2018 (6023)
By the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827
of the Ancient and Honorable Order of
E Clampus Vitus

Erected 2018 by E Clampus Vitus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 39° 0.193′ N, 119° 50.789′ W. Marker is in Genoa, Nevada, in Douglas County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Mill

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Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. The plaque is mounted to the left front of the Old Genoa Bar. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2282 Main Street, Genoa NV 89411, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Genoa Bar (here, next to this marker); The General Store (a few steps from this marker); Douglas Lodge #12, F& AM (within shouting distance of this marker); The Territorial Enterprise & the Telegraph (within shouting distance of this marker); Genoa or “Mormon Station” of the Pony Express (within shouting distance of this marker); Originally – The Raycraft Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Nevada’s First Newspaper (within shouting distance of this marker); Lillian Virgin Finnegan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Genoa.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Genoa Bar

Also see . . . Overland Mail to California in the 1850s. United States Postal Service

"When Woodward headed back to Sacramento in August, his mail train was ambushed by Indians. In September, Indians killed two mail carriers, and the next month, attacked once more. The carriers managed to escape, but lost the mail. In November 1851, Woodward and his mail party left California for Salt Lake
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 14, 2023

2. The Jackass Express Marker
City. They never made it. Woodward’s body was found the following April, but no mail. The mail party apparently had been killed by Indians."

(Submitted on May 16, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.