Chinatown in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pony Express
Erected 1936 by Oregon Trail Memorial Association and Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1704.
Location. 37° 47.68′ N, 122° 24.219′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Chinatown. Marker is at the intersection of Clay Street and Montgomery Street on Clay Street. These markers are located on the Clay Street side of the building (tenant: HSBC) at 601 Montgomery Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Clay Street, San Francisco CA 94111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Western Headquarters of Russell, Majors, and Waddell (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Site of Eureka Lodgings (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of First U.S. Branch Mint (within shouting distance of this marker); Commander John B. Montgomery's Landing Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Italy (within shouting distance of this marker); Hudson's Bay Company (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Family" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Montgomery Block (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. "Antelope" Marker placed in Sacramento, California
Also see . . .
1. When the Pony Express was in Vogue - Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco. "Each day, except Sunday, a messenger left St. Joseph at noon, another coming east from Sacramento at eight o'clock in the morning. For two years this service was maintained, through good weather and bad." (Submitted on August 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. The History of Mail, Part One. Nine minute YouTube video. Excerpt from the narration:
This is the historical marker for the Pony Express, located here in San Francisco, California. From April 1860 to Oct 1861, young fearless horseback riders carried the mail in swift relay teams from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. On March 4, 1861, the company’s riders set their fastest time delivering Lincoln’s inaugural address to San Francisco by traveling over 1900 rough and dangerous miles in less than eight days. Although ultimately short-lived and unprofitable, the Pony Express captivated America’s imagination. It contributed to the economy of the towns on its route and served the mail-service needs of the American West in the days before the telegraph or a reliable transcontinental railroad.(Submitted on August 8, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,084 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2015, by Harold Colson of San Diego, California. Photos: 1. submitted on July 2, 2015, by Harold Colson of San Diego, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.