The Pony Express
| HOME | OVERVIEW | PROFILES | INFLUENCE |
Influence
The West remains in the public consciousness as an important part of American history and identity. Though often exaggerated or misrepresented, the Pony Express retains an iconic role in the image of the West.
Butterfield stage coach, Pinterest
Stagecoaches never had “butterfield” written on the top. The myth developed over the years as it was adopted in films and recreation pieces such as this.
"Old Marin County paper's editions now online", San Franciso Press Club
Western Newspapers, such as the Marin County Journal, would rely on the pony express to receive news from the east
Pony Express Rider, Wikipedia
The Butterfield and Wells Fargo coaches have become symbols of the early transportation and mail services that connected the continent. Bright red and yellow coaches are a common fixture in frontier-themed settings. The ubiquitous image of the speeding horse and rider charging alone into the wilderness was inspired by the daring feats of the mail carriers. Historical societies, such as ponyexpress.org and the National Pony Express Association, keep the story alive. Small museums have sprung up across the country near station ruins and in towns along the route.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show grew out of his fame, partially garnered by his time in the Pony Express. The show collected the last vestiges of the West and displayed them to audiences all over the country, providing such spectacles as trick shooting, mock Cowboy vs Indian battles, and more. The Pony Express was only a section of the mystique and appeal of the American West that, as a whole, enraptures American audiences.
Most of the later depictions of the Pony Express and other western mail carriers have been in film, such as the 1953 film Pony Express or in the more recent film Ballad of Buster Scruggs, which shows an overland coach.
"Pony Express 1953 Trailer, uploaded by Trailer Chan
Buffalo Bill's Wild West, uploaded by William F. Cody Archive
Since its conception, the Pony Express was idealized in popular culture. Ranging from small tweaks, such as the creative addition of “Butterfield” on stagecoaches, to major edits, such as the complete reimagining of the 1st battle of Pyramid Lake in the 1950s film The Pony Express, changes in its history at the hands of artists and entertainers are very common. These changes are almost as important as the events themselves because they are what people today believe the Pony Express was. The Pony Express communicates an echo of the era to modern people, which is one big reason why it is important in the world and to this year’s theme.
The Pony Express had a significant impact on the west at the time, and allowed western newspapers and businesses to connect with the wider world. With the Pony Express, it was now possible for western newspapers to have relevant access to the news in the east and elsewhere.The main customers of the Pony Express were newspapers and businesses. The most important information was about possible impending war, and it was said at the time that the two most important pieces of information carried by the Pony Express are Buchanan’s last speech to congress and Lincoln’s inaugural address.