Placerville in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Placerville Pony Express

Station and Terminus

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 18, 2008

1. Placerville Pony Express Marker

Inscription. Gold Rush town and Western Terminus of the Placerville – Carson Road to the Comstock. Placerville was a relay station of the Central Overland Pony Express, April 4, 1860 – June 30, 1861. Here on April 4, 1860 the first east-bound pony rider, William (Sam) Hamilton changed horses, added one express letter to his mochila, and sped away for Sportsman’s Hall. On July 1, 1861, Placerville became the Western Terminus of the Pony Express, until its discontinuance on October 26, 1861.

Erected 1960 by The California State Park Commission in cooperation with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, James W. Marshall Chapter 49, E Clampus Vitus and Central Overland Pony Express Trail Association. (Marker Number 701.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1849.

Location. 38° 43.673′ N, 120° 48.197′ W.

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Marker is in Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Sacramento Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Placerville CA 95667, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Gold Country,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

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: Snowshoe Thompson (here, next to this marker); John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson (a few steps from this marker); Bayles Building (1853) (within shouting distance of this marker); Hangmans Tree (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Three Unfortunates Hanged (about 300 feet away); The Forum Café/Union Hotel/United States Trio Hall

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 18, 2008

2. Placerville Pony Express Marker

(about 400 feet away); Sgt. J. Scott Lindsay (about 400 feet away); Branch Saloon/Bingham's Jewelrey/Seligman Building/Ewing Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Placerville.

Regarding Placerville Pony Express. This site has been designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.701

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Follow the first Eastbound journey of the Pony Express through California to Genoa, Nevada....To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Pony Express – California Stations. (Submitted on October 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
2. The Overland Pony Express – History: People-Places-Vocabulary-Dates. (Submitted on October 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Placerville Pony Express Centennial Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

March 5, 2022

3. Placerville Pony Express Centennial Trail Marker

Pony Express Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 18, 2008

4. Pony Express Sculpture

Located to the right of the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,667 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on March 11, 2022. 4. submitted on October 20, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.