St. Joseph in Buchanan County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Patee House
Company & Division Headquarters, Original Home Station
| | Apr. 3 1860 - Sep. 13, 1861 | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 29, 2011
1. Patee House Marker (front)
The Patee House was the Pony Express Company's Eastern Headquarters from April 3, 1860 to September 13, 1861. The company's official name was "The Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Company."
John Patee built the hotel from 1855-1858 at a cost of $180,000. The four-story building when new was the largest hotel west of the Mississippi River and one of the finest in the world. It boasted of such features as gas lights, running water and flush toilets. The main entrance was facing north on Penn Street.
On the hotel's north side by the northwest corner was a door which the Pony Express rider and horse would use to pick up the mail inside the building. Riders who did not live nearby stayed here at the Patee House.
Dedicated April 3, 2005
© 2005 Joe Nardone
Erected 2005 by Frank A. Fiore, James Stretesky, Richard Wiemhold, Merry Virginia Wright, et al.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Exploration • Roads & Vehicles • 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 1859.
Location. 39° 45.369′ N, 94° 50.719′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Missouri. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Patee House - 1858 (here, next to this marker); The Patee House In The Civil War (here, next to this marker); The Pony Express (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Patee House (a few steps from this marker); Transcontinental Telegraph (a few steps from this marker); Jesse James Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Jesse James Hill (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patee Park Baptist Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Joseph.
More about this marker. In Search of the Pony Express Station Marker
Also see . . .
1. Patee House Museum. St. Joseph Missouri website entry (Submitted on September 21, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. . Pony Express National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on September 21, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Pony Express Historical Timeline. Pony Express Historical
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 29, 2011
2. Patee House Marker (back)
4. National Pony Express Association. Association website homepage (Submitted on September 21, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 29, 2011
3. Patee House and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 29, 2011
4. Patee House
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 2, 2023
5. Patee House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,141 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 21, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.
