In January 1860, William H. Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell, partners in the freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell, agreed to start a pony relay system from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, to speed delivery of mail from the eastern United States to California. Covering 1,996 miles, the service aimed to deliver mail in 10 days in all types of conditions, prove the Central Route could be used year-round, and win the $1,000,000 government mail contract. Within three months, they had secured funding, formed the Central Overland, California and Pikes Peak Express Company, hired 200 riders, and purchased 400 horses. The route had 165 stations about 10 miles apart, where riders changed horses; each rider covered 75-100 miles and changed horses 8-10 times per ride. Johnny Fry departed from the St. Joseph stables on April 3, 1860, at 7:15pm, while Sam Hamilton left Sacramento heading east on April 4, 1860, at 2:00am. A New York Times account of the first delivery of mail reported that citizens paraded the streets with bands of music, fireworks were set off, and the best feeling was manifested by everybody. The stable used by the Pony Express was built in 1858 with a pine frame and a wooden split shingle roof, measuring 60 x 120. In 1887, the St. Joseph Transfer Company built brick walls inside the wooden walls and removed the wooden walls, dramatically changing the structure's appearance. Later used by other businesses including a mattress company and a roofing company, the building fell into disrepair after both failed. In 1946, the Chamber of Commerce purchased it, though the rear section had collapsed and shortened its length. In 1959, M. Karl Goetz undertook its preservation and restoration as a museum, established the Goetz Foundation for its ongoing preservation, and that same year the Pony Express Museum opened. After an extensive reconstruction and expansion in 1992, the Pony Express National Museum reopened on April 3, 1993.
