The Pony Express mail service ran between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California for only a short time in 1860-61, yet its romantic image continued to captivate the American public. In 19 months, its riders covered over 600,000 miles and carried nearly 35,000 pieces of mail. Russell, Majors and Waddell established nearly 200 relay and home stations along the route, with horses exchanged at relay stations every ten to twelve miles and riders expected to cover 76 to 100 miles between home stations. Julesburg was the site of the only home station in Colorado. The service carried telegraphic dispatches in 10 days and letters in 13 days between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California at a cost of $5 per half-ounce, until the arrival of the telegraph brought the Pony Express to an end.