In 1859 George Guittard built a 12-room, two story lodge at Guittard's Station on Vermillion Creek to serve the growing number of people passing through by wagon, coach, and horseback. The station operated as an inn where travelers could rest, buy supplies and water, graze and shelter animals, and repair wagons and coaches. In 1860 it became a relay station for the Pony Express mail route between Missouri and California, with two stables holding more than 20 horses and fresh mounts kept saddled and ready for riders. George Guittard, a former French magistrate who came to America in 1833, moved west with his family of five in 1857, and their ranch on Vermillion Creek became the first permanent settlement in northeast Marshall County. His son Xavier served as postmaster for 42 years, distributing mail through pigeon holes inside the west entrance of the station. Guittard Station also became a route for Russell, Majors, and Waddell's Pony Express and Overland stage line and for the Fort Leavenworth to Fort Kearny Military Road.