Five Mile House-Overland Pony Express Route in California

The first horse worked about half an hour. Sam Hamilton left the Alta Telegraph office in Sacramento at a quarter to three in the morning on 4 April 1860 carrying the first eastbound mail, and this is where he changed, five miles out. The intervals lengthened as the country hardened, ten more miles to the next remount and longer stages into the foothills after that. Speed came from the number of animals rather than from any one of them.

What the plaque says

Five Mile Station Departing at 2:45 A.M. from the Alta Telegraph Co. in Sacramento, pony rider Sam (Bill) Hamilton carried the first mail eastward of the Central Overland Pony Express on April 4, 1860. Here, quickly changing ponies he sped on to the next stop at Fifteen Mile Station. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 697 Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Sacramento Historic Landmarks Commission, Sacramento County Historical Society, and the Central Overland Pony Express Trail Association, April 2, 1960

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Sacramento — 4.7 mi
  The Gold Rush river port that became the state capital, and jacked itself ten feet into the air to stop drowning.

More markers nearby

• Chevra Kaddisha (Home of Peace Cemetery) — 2.3 mi
• New Helvetia Cemetery — 2.4 mi
• Coloma Road-Sutter's Fort — 2.7 mi
• Sutter's Fort — 2.7 mi