Atchison in Atchison County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Massasoit House
Company and Division Headquarters, Added Station
— Sep. 14, 1861 - Nov. 20, 1861 —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
1. Massasoit House Marker (front)
On September 14, 1861 the "Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Co." who were the original owners and operators of the Pony Express moved their offices from the Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri to here at the "Massasoit House." It was located 164 feet east at the NW corner of Second and Main.
The actual "horse" Pony Express was now operating to California from Ft. Kearny, Nebraska twice a week. The Pony Express mail between here and Ft. Kearny was carried by stagecoach.
All Pony Express envelopes coming from California were hand cancelled with Atchison as the postmark and carried the famous Wells Fargo Pony Express stamp. The average Pony Express letter now cost $1.00 per 1/2 ounce where the original cost was $5.00.
© 1994 Joe Nardone
Erected 1994 by James Stretesky, John A. & Grace S. Adair, Exchange Bank Foundation, Evah Cray Charitable Trust, Pony Express Trail Association, et al. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • 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 September 1852.
Location. 39° 33.652′ N,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Butterfield's Overland Dispatch (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Arizona Memorial (about 600 feet away); Atchison Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); "walked on Shore above this Creek" (about 700 feet away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (about 700 feet away); Homeland of the Kanza Indians (about 800 feet away); "the water…contains a half…Glass of ooze" (about 800 feet away); Amelia Earhart Historic District (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atchison.
More about this marker. In Search of the Pony Express Station Marker No. 5
Also see . . .
1. Pony Express National Historic Trail. (Submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Pony Express Museum, St. Joseph, Missouri. Repaired broken link; 12/12/2020 LPG. (Submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
2. Massasoit House Marker (back)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
3. Massasoit House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
