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

The Pony Express - Sportsman’s Hall

Pony Express Sportsman's Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 6, 2006

1. Pony Express Sportsman's Hall Marker

Inscription. California’s only Home Station where riders changed on the Pony Express trail. Here, at 8:01 A.M. on April 4, 1860, Sam Hamilton, first eastbound rider, was relieved by Warren Upson who carried the initial mail over the then storm swept Sierras.

Sacramento — Friday’s — Salt Lake City — Ft. Laramie — Julesburg — Ft. Kearny — Marysville — St. Joseph.

Erected 1961 by National Pony Express Centennial Association, Dwight D. Eisenhower–Chairman, Waddell F. Smith–President, Sherrill Malbert–Director at Large.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1860.

Location. 38° 45.006′ N, 120° 36.675′ W. Marker is in Pollack Pines, California, in El Dorado County. It is on Pony Express Trail east of Exit 57 (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5620

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines CA 95726, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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 5 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sportsman’s Hall (here, next to this marker); Johnson Cutoff Trail - Sportsman Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson Cutoff - Took the Hangtown Road (approx. 2 miles away); The Miwok and Maidu Peoples (approx. 2 miles away); Logging in El Dorado County (approx. 2 miles away).

Also see . . . The Pony Express National Historic Trail. (Submitted on October 14, 2006.)

Round Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 6, 2006

2. Round Plaque

Russell – Majors – Waddell. Founders, owners, operators. Pony Express. 1860–61. Trail Marker. 1960–61. National Pony Express Centennial Association.

This Marker Below a Round Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 6, 2006

3. This Marker Below a Round Plaque

Sportsman's Hall and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, October 6, 2006

4. Sportsman's Hall and Markers

An additional Pony Express Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, April 1, 2017

5. An additional Pony Express Marker

The Pony Express Medallion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cory Waters

6. The Pony Express Medallion

Placed by the Placerville Parlor No. 9, Native Sons of the Golden West and Marguerite Parlor No. 12, Native Daughters of the Golden West.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 3,429 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 13, 2006, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 5. submitted on July 1, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. 6. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Cory Waters of Bangor, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.